Spoilers

The Pirates are back in their spoiler role tonight against the Astros, one night after pecking Ian Snell to death via 12 singles. I am no great fan of this whole spoiler business because it tries to insert meaning into games that, for the Pittsburgh Pirates, really have none. Playing "spoiler" causes Jim Tracy to say even dumber things than he usually does:

"When we left on our last trip [Sept. 18], it appeared there would be the opportunity in this series for us to play some younger guys," Tracy said, "but, obviously, things have changed dramatically."

So the reason Rajai Davis will never see the field and Shane Youman probably won't get another start is because the Astros still have a chance to make the postseason? I missed the part where this has anything to do with the Pittsburgh Pirates whatsoever.

Hell, if losing to the Astros means Tony the Prick's boys miss out on the postseason, I don't even want to play spoiler. Honestly, I don't care who wins or loses these last five games, especially since Shawn Chacon is pitching at least one of them. I just want to see Freddy win the batting title, Sal break Teke's franchise appearances record, fun stuff like that. If we win games, it's all the more fun. But I'd really love an October without Tony's gigantic head.

But as far as tonight's game goes, I'll really be surprised if we pull out a win. Shawn Chacon has already lost to the Astros by scorelines of 13-1 and 14-1, including a home run to mound opponent Roy Oswalt in one of those games. He's also given up a home run to Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carlos Marmol. In all, he's served up 11 long balls in just 40 2/3 innings since Craig Wilson was sacrificed to the Yankees. He has pitched better of late, allowing two or less earned runs in three of his last four starts, driving his Pirates ERA down to 5.09 which is mildly impressive given the amount of extremely ugly box scores he's been involved in. He's still walking more than he strikes out, which never bodes well. But he is a VETERAN RIGHTHANDED STARTER so he'll most likely be back again next season. Sigh.