[Lefty Noob]

Roger Clemens has been called up and will start for the Houston Astros tonight against the Minnesota Twins. According to the AP, "Clemens has the highest win total of any pitcher against Minnesota with a 23-12 record and a 3.01 ERA." How will he do in his first major league start of the 2006 season?

[MVB]

The game is on ESPN by the way....

I predict that the Rocket will be shelled by Minnesota. The Twins have been on fire lately, winning 8 out of their last nine games including a sweep of the Boston Red Sox. Clemens' stuff wasn't great in his last start- 3 earned runs and a ton of walks. His breaking ball has kinda hung and most of his other pitches were flat. He looks tired and old.... I think the Astros should let him make two or three more minor league starts before rushing him up here. But...I guess Houston knows what it's doing...

[MJHMarc]

I think the Houston Astros will try to call up Roger Clemens as soon as possible. He signed a deal rather late, and the organization is just trying to justify his large contract numbers. It is the same with any other job in management. The more you get paid, the more you must work. He is getting paid a lot of money (mucho dinero), and now has to work to earn it.

I think the Minnesota Twins will win this match-up. Pitching is not a key factor for the Astros, because their offense is relatively weak this season. The Twins have a decent rotation and average players on the field, especially Torii Hunter who has bounced back from an early slump. Minnesota has this game under their belt.

[Lefty Noob]

Currently, Clemens has allowed 1 hit, walked one and struck out a pair in 2.0 innings against the Twins in his first start back. He's thrown 35 pitches, 21 of them for strikes, so he's looking pretty good early on despite the rust. We'll have to see if he can keep it up.