Well, after a hot start (19-9 at one point), the Astros have returned to Earth and now sit at 26-25. We can still expect our starting pitching, bullpen, Preston Wilson, and Jason Lane to get better. A big 3-game series against the Cardinals starts today. The pitching matchups:

Roy Oswalt (5-3, 3.36 ERA) vs. Jason Marquis (6-4, 5.12)

Andy Pettitte (3-6, 5.76) vs. Chris Carpenter (4-2, 2.63)

Taylor Bucholz (3-4, 5.57) vs. Jeff Suppan (5-4, 5.12)

Brad Ausmus on the 4-run ninth-inning rally yesterday:

"It has the potential to be the fulcrum of the season."

Berkman has great numbers against Marquis; hopefully he's back in the starting lineup, although Mike Lamb has done great things (.383, 3 HR in May) lately.

Start us off strong, Roy O.