so far this year, even when there's nothing happening in a given game . . . . there's always something happening. we're through 5, and the cards lead it, 2 (generously speaking) to 0 . . . . .

Chacon	Looper
0-0, 2.77	3-1, 5.49

roy oswalt has an era of 6.00, and the houston closer has an era of 8.18 . . . . yet the astros are only 1 game under .500. they come in on a 5-game winning streak, swinging very hot bats --- 41 runs in those 5 games (vs 20 runs allowed). on sunday they'll send brandon backe (self-professed disliker of albert pujols) to the mound . . . . . tonight's houston starter, chacon, has been very consistent --- 4 outings, 4 quality starts, 4 no-decisions.