Open Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Monday 8/14, 7:05 CT

I'm posting the game thread a little early today, and you'll see why in a moment.

Tonight is NASA Night at Minute Maid Park; the Astros will be honoring the crew of the recent Discovery shuttle mission, and the first 10,000 fans will get this cap:

I don't usually do this, but if you are going to tonight's game -- I would LOVE to have one of those caps! If any of you who will be there could score an extra for me, I'd be eternally grateful.

Today's Starting Pitchers

C. Zambrano Cubs vs. R. Oswalt Astros 12-5 W-L 7-8 3.54 ERA 3.27 162 SO 109 89 BB 29 18 HR 14 vs. Hou -- vs. Cubs

I give up trying to predict what Z will do. His last start should have been a no-brainer win, given that he had been 7-0 on the road and 7-1 in night games before last Wednesday. Given that this is yet another road night game, perhaps this one will turn out better. It is worth pointing out that in ten career games at Minute Maid Park, Z is 4-for-18, with 3 HR and 7 RBI (including a three-run HR earlier this year.

Roy Oswalt has started one game against the Cubs this year, threw a complete game, and the Cubs won 1-0. Thank you, sir, may we have another?

MLB.com Cubs Gameday

I received more photos from BCB reader Jed Taylor, who attended the entire series in Denver; he didn't have seats quite as good as Friday's for the other games, but the photos are good and interesting nevertheless (top row and first three of middle row, from Saturday; the rest from Sunday):

Top: (Saturday) The real Rockies off in the distance; ARam takes a pitch; Jones fouling one off; Murton heading out of the box.
Middle: Aardsma delivers; The Cubs dugout watching Cedeno bat; Howry gets some work; (Sunday) Mabry at the plate.
Bottom: Jones just below us in RF; The Neifi gets yet another start at 2nd; Murton and Pierre; the view from the Coors Field RF bleachers. (as always, click on thumbnail to view full-size in new browser window.)

Photos by Jed Taylor