Onwards to Houston

We certainly haven't finished talking about the McLouth trade, what with pandering editorials and moaning players and the like, but the Pirates march onwards and so for now, it's gamethread time. The Pirates and Astros play tonight in Houston as the Pirates continue what was originally a 17-games-in-17-days span before a rainout changed things. Jeff Karstens gets the ball for the black and gold while Mike Hampton, who's owned us this year, goes for the 'Stros. Andy LaRoche is out with a sore kneecap after being beaned yesterday, but Andrew McCutchen is back at the top of the lineup, and that's enough to have me excited about the game tonight.