Originally Posted by slushi999

Ok check out the stats on the Astros Bullpen lineup and why I think they going to win the 2005 World Series with there outstanding bullpen.

Roger Clemens will start Game 1 of the World Series for Houston. He is 2-1 in the 2005 postseason with a 4.50 ERA in three games, including two starts. After a shaky start in Game 2 of the NLDS versus the Braves, Clemens pitched three scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in the series-clinching fourth game.

The righthander then tossed six solid innings to pick up the win in Game 3 of the NLCS versus St. Louis on Saturday. He yielded only two runs on six hits, while walking two and fanning one. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner is 12-8 all-time in the postseason, including a 3-0 mark with a 1.90 ERA in seven World Series starts.

Andy Pettitte is expected to get the start for Houston in Game 2 of the Fall Classic on Sunday. Pettitte took the loss in Game 1 of the NLCS after yielding five runs on eight hits in six innings. He then started Game 5 on Monday and was not involved in the decision after giving up two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.

The lefthander is 1-1 in the 2005 playoffs with a 4.66 ERA in three starts. Pettitte is 14-9 all-time in the postseason, but just 3-4 with a 3.90 earned run average in 10 World Series starts.

Brandon Backe will likely be the fourth starter for the Astros. He had a strong showing in Game 4 of the NLCS, as he allowed only two hits and a run over 5 2/3 innings. The righthander walked three and struck out seven in the no-decision.

Backe has appeared in three games during the 2005 playoffs, including two starts, and is 0-0 with a 4.91 earned run average. He went 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in three starts during the 2004 postseason.

As for Houston's bullpen, Lidge recorded three saves in four opportunities against St. Louis in the NLCS. After posting three consecutive saves, he surrendered the three-run homer to Pujols in the ninth inning of Game 5 and took the loss. Overall in the 2005 postseason, he has appeared in seven games and is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA and three saves.

Qualls and Wheeler were also used quite a bit in the NLCS. Qualls participated in four contests and tossed 4 2/3 perfect innings, while Wheeler saw action in three games and pitched 2 2/3 scoreless frames.