Brewers (60-55) @ Astros (51-63) - Series Preview

The Brewers look to right the ship after being swept by the Rockies in Denver. The Crew is 7-2 against the Astros this season and took two of three from Houston in their only series at Minute Maid Park this year. The Brewers will visit Houston one more time before the season is over. Also, the Astros will come to Miller Park for one more series this year.

Tony Graffanino has a torn ACL and is out for the year. Graffanino was injured in the Brewers game against the Rockies Wednesday afternoon. Rickie Weeks has been recalled from Triple-A Nashville to replace Graffanino on the roster.

Pitching match ups:

Friday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Dave Bush (9-8, 5.03) vs. RHP Jason Jennings (2-7, 6.11)

Bush gave up five runs in five innings of work in his last start which was against the Phillies last Saturday at Miller Park. He was in line for the loss until the Brewers came back in eighth inning so Bush was charged with a no-decsion. The last time Bush faced the Astros it was a relief appearance in the Brewers' 11-inning victory over Houston in late June. Bush threw two scoreless innings and gave up just one hit to pick up the win. This season against the Astros, Bush is 2-1 with a 5.87 ERA in three starts. In his one start at Minute Maid Park this year, Bush was hit pretty hard by the Astros. He gave up eight runs, seven of which were earned in five and a third innings in that start. In his career against the Astros, Bush is 4-1 with a 3.45 ERA in seven appearances, six of which were starts. At Minute Maid Park in his career, Bush is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three starts. Lance Berkman is 9-20 with two doubles and three RBI against Bush in his career.

Jennings gave up ten hits and five runs in six and a third innings against Marlins in his last start. He was charged with a no-decision but the Astros lost the game. Jennings had a very tough month of July. He went 1-4 with a 11.35 ERA in that month. This year at Minute Maid Park, Jennings is 1-4 with a 6.36 ERA in nine starts. Jennings lost to the Brewers earlier this year at Miller Park. He pitched seven innings and gave up three runs in that start. In his career against the Brewers, Jennings 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA in five starts. Criag Counsell is 12-31 with two doubles, two homers and three RBI in his career against Jennings.

Saturday - 6:05 PM CDT:

RHP Jeff Suppan (8-9, 4.84) vs. LHP Wandy Rodriguez (7-10, 4.50)

Suppan is coming off back to back solid starts. He pitched five and two thirds innings and gave up just one run to the Phillies in his last start. Suppan was in line for the win until the Brewers bullpen blew the lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. In his only start against the Astros this year, Suppan gave up three runs in six innings of work in a no-decision at Miller Park. Suppan struck out seven and walked none in that start. He is 2-6 with a 4.71 ERA in 12 career appearances (11 starts) against the Astros. In his career at Minute Maid Park, Suppan is 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in four appearances, three of which were starts. Berkman also hits Suppan pretty well as he is 12-27 with four doubles, three homers and 11 RBI against the Brewers righty.

Rodriguez had another great start at home last time out. He pitched eight innings and gave up just one run to the Cubs. The southpaw picked up a no-decision as the Astros won the game in ten innings. At Minute Maid Park this year, Rodriguez is 6-2 with a 1.69 ERA in 11 starts. Compare that with an ERA of 8.16 ERA on the road in 2007. Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA in two starts this year against the Brewers. However, both those starts came at Miller Park. In his career against the Brewers, Rodriguez is 2-4 with a 5.60 ERA in nine appearances, eight of which were starts. Corey Hart is 8-14 with a double and three RBI against Rodriguez. Weeks should be back in the lineup for the Brewers Saturday after Counsell starts Friday's game. The young second baseman is 4-11 with a double and a RBI in his career against Rodriguez.

Sunday - 1:05 PM CDT:

RHP Claudio Vargas (9-4, 4.97) vs. RHP Woody Williams (6-12, 5.21)

Vargas had a very tough beginning to his last start. He gave up six runs in the first two innings against the Rockies. Then Vargas pitched five scoreless innings to help out the worn out Brewers bullpen. The Brewers still lost the game 6-2 to the Rockies. After a solid month of July, Vargas is 0-2 with a 12.10 ERA in two starts in August. Vargas is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in two starts against the Astros this year. The first of those two starts was at Minute Maid Park and Vargas pitched five scoreless to pick up the win in that outing. In his career against the Astros, Vargas is 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA in eight appearances, six of which were starts. Carlos Lee is 5-15 with three home runs and seven RBI in his career against Vargas.

Williams picked up a win in his last outing which was against the Cubs. The veteran righty threw six innings and gave up just one run. Righties are hitting .301 this year against Williams compared to .267 for his career. Williams is 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against the Brewers this year. He has faced the Brewers more than any other team in his career. Williams is 12-6 with a 3.05 ERA in 29 career appearances (20 starts) against the Brewers. Damian Miller is 13-28 with four doubles and three RBI in his career against the Brewers.