For their semifinal game against Japan, the United States will put the ball in Roy Oswalt’s hand. In his last outing, Oswalt delivered four shutout innings against the Netherlands in a must-win game.
Facing another must-win game, the US is going back to the pitcher who is regarded by many as the best big game starter on the roster. The 31-year-old has spent his entire career with the Houston Astros.
Although Japan hasn’t officially named their starter, most followers expect Daisuke Matsuzaka to get the start. Last year with the Boston Red Sox, Matsuzaka had an 18-3 record with a 2.90 ERA.
The …read more

A strange story is coming out of Houston where it appears as if Astros ace Roy Oswalt was forced to pitch the seventh inning of a recent game. According to Oswalt, he told coaches that he could no longer pitch after the sixth inning. The coaches apparently ignored him and he was sent out to pitch the seventh inning.
After allowing a pair of singles, Oswalt signaled for the medical staff and left with a hip injury. Astros manager Cecil Cooper says that leaving Oswalt in the game was a miscommunication.
On the season, Oswalt isn’t …read more