New owner Jim Crane will receive his first look at his $610 million investment when the Houston Astros host the Colorado Rockies in the teams' season opener on Friday. With a move to the American League awaiting them in 2013, the Astros have plenty of room for an improvement following a league-worst 106-loss season.
While Houston is in a rebuilding mode, Colorado could make a run at contending in the NL West should a few breaks go its way. With a weak schedule and 13 of their first 22 games at home, the Rockies can make some noise early in 2012.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSH (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jeremy Guthrie (2011: 9-17, 4.33 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wandy Rodriguez (2011: 11-11, 3.49 ERA)
Acquired in a trade with Baltimore in February, Guthrie will make his third opening-day start in four seasons. The 32-year-old Guthrie has yet to pitch at Minute Maid Park, although he did silence the Astros by tossing a three-hit gem in eight innings in his lone career outing against them on June 18, 2008.
After spending his entire career within the Astros organization, Rodriguez will make his first opening day start. The 33-year-old hurler didn't fare well in his lone outing versus Colorado last season - getting brutalized for six runs on 10 hits in a no-decision on Aug. 24.
WALK-OFFS
1. Houston's Carlos Lee feasted on Colorado pitching last season, belting out nine hits and 10 RBIs in 28 at-bats.
2. Rockies manager Jim Tracy has switched Dexter Fowler and Marco Scutaro in the order, with the latter now hitting in the leadoff position. Fowler, who dropped to second, had a brutal spring with a .176 batting average and 17 strikeouts.
3. Rodriguez will be the first lefthander to start on opening day for the Astros since Dave Roberts in 1973-74.