2B Craig Biggio (.264, 26 HRs, 69 RBIs, 17 HBP), CF Willy Taveras (.291, 3, 29, 71 infield hits, 34 SBs), 3B Morgan Ensberg (Redondo High, USC, .283, 36, 101), LF Lance Berkman (.293, 24, 82, 91 walks), 1B Mike Lamb (.236, 12, 53), RF Jason Lane (.267, 26, 78), SS Adam Everett (.248, 11, 54); C Brad Ausmus (.258, 3, 47).
SS David Eckstein (.294, 8, 61, 11 SBs), CF Jim Edmonds (.263, 29, 89), 1B Albert Pujols (.330, 41, 117, 16 SBs), RF Larry Walker (.289, 15, 52 in 100 games), LF Reggie Sanders (.271, 21, 54 in 93 games), 2B Mark Grudzielanek (.294, 8, 59), C Yadier Molina (.252, 8, 49), 3B Abraham Nunez (.285, 5, 44).
LH Andy Pettitte (17-9, 2.39 ERA, won last seven decisions, 14-2 with 1.56 ERA last 20 starts), RH Roy Oswalt (20-12, 2.94, career-high 241²³ innings), RH Roger Clemens (13-8, major league-best 1.87 ERA), RH Brandon Backe (10-8, 4.76).
RH Chris Carpenter (21-5, 2.83), LH Mark Mulder (16-8, 3.64), RH Matt Morris (14-11, 4.11), RH Jason Marquis (13-14, 4.13) or RH Jeff Suppan (16-10, 3.57).
RH Brad Lidge (4-4, 2.33, 42/46 saves, 103 Ks in 70²³ IP), RH Dan Wheeler (2-3, 3 saves, 2.21 in 71 games, 69 Ks), RH Wandy Rodriguez (10-10, 5.33 in 25 games, 22 starts), RH Russ Springer (4-4, 4.73), RH Ezequiel Astacio (3-6, 5.67 in 22 games, 14 starts), RH Chad Qualls (Narbonne High, 6-4, 3.28 in 76 games), LH Mike Gallo (0-1, 2.66).
RH Jason Isringhausen (1-2, 2.14, 39/43 saves), RH Julian Tavarez (2-3, 3.43, 4 saves), LH Ray King (4-4, 3.38), RH Cal Eldred (1-0, 2.19), RH Brad Thompson (4-0, 2.95, 1 save), LH Randy Flores (3-1, 3.46, 1 save).
Houston knocked out Atlanta in four games in the opening round, wrapping up the series with a 7-6 victory in 18 innings, the longest game in postseason history. Clemens came out of the bullpen to pitch three innings and win the clincher. Pettitte won the opener for his 14th postseason victory, one behind Atlanta's John Smoltz for most ever. Oswalt followed his second straight 20-victory season by also winning his start. ... With Carlos Beltran and Jeff Kent departed, and Berkman and Jeff Bagwell ailing, Houston (89-73) was 15-30 after 4-2 loss at Chicago on May 24. But the Astros went 74-43 the rest of the way to clinch the wild card on the final day of the regular season -- just like last year. The 1914 Boston Braves were the only other team to come back from 15 games under .500 to make the playoffs. ... Astros have a dominant closer in Lidge, who converted 26 of his last 27 save chances in regular season. ... Stellar pitching was needed because Astros scored two runs or fewer 52 times and were scoreless 17 times -- nine of their shutout losses coming in games started by Clemens. ... Berkman is recovered from offseason knee surgery and hit 11 homers in September. Bagwell missed 115 games after shoulder surgery, and is now solely a pinch-hitter.
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