HOUSTON ASTROS -120 - The Astros will be very glad to see the Braves leave town after getting swept by Atlanta in a 3-game series here. Tonight, they face Florida and Brad Penny, who was absolutely lit up in his only start at Houston last season, allowing 8 earned runs and 10 Men on Base in 5 innings. Granted, Penny has now posted 3 consecutive Quality Starts, but he still must prove that he can handle a good offensive team in a hitter?s ballpark. Linebrink pitched very well in his first start last weekend, limiting the Expos to just 1 run and 3 hits in 5.1 innings at Montreal. He is backed by a fine Houston bullpen that has a group ERA of 3.05 with a ratio of 1.28 this season. By comparison, the Marlins bullpen has a collective 5.07 ERA with a very high 1.51 ratio.
