ST. LOUIS - Brandon Backe wasn't pleased when the Devil Rays, for the 2001 season, switched the minor-leaguer from outfield to pitcher. Considering how it worked out, Backe should give Tampa Bay a big thumbs up.
The right-hander, traded to the Astros in December straight up for underachieving Geoff Blum, will start tonight's NLCS opener against the Cardinals.
"It was pretty disheartening," Backe said of switching positions. "I foresaw myself being in the big leagues as a hitter. I love getting dirty, making diving plays and throwing people out from the outfield. That was my dream."
Backe could not have dreamed this season. The Galveston, Texas, native was in 33 games, starting nine, and was 5-3 with a 4.30 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 67 innings.
He won the season finale against the Rockies to clinch Houston's wild-card spot. And he won his start in the NLDS against the Braves.
"Those were pretty key games," Backe said. "It's adding experience to me. I haven't been pitching long, but just to be out there helped prepare me for this game."
Houston's rotation against Atlanta was such that aces Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens are unavailable for the first two games of the NLCS. Manager Phil Garner said starting Backe will ensure him another start at home, where he was 4-1 with a 2.61 ERA.
"Brandon's pitched well for us," Garner said. "This is the way to go."
PITCHERS: The Astros will go with right-hander Pete Munro in Game 2, Clemens in Game 3 (which ensures a Game 7 start if necessary) and Oswalt in Game 4.
Houston native Woody Williams goes in Game 1 for the Cardinals followed by fellow right-handers Matt Morris, Jeff Suppan and Jason Marquis.
SHAKE IT UP: The Cardinals and Dodgers shook hands on the field after the NLDS. The Cardinals and Astros might do the same at the end of the NLCS.
St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said he might talk to Garner about it if they "cross paths" before the end of the series.
"I don't know if it will come up," La Russa said. "I don't know if it's a one-time deal or you'll see it."
The Cardinals instigated the show of sportsmanship with Los Angeles.
"That was big for a lot of people to see that in baseball and in sports," reliever Steve Kline said. "In today's world, everything is so competitive. And it's hard to do, shake someone's hand right after you've lost."
Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell was cautious.
"I don't know what I think of it," he said. "I have a ton of respect for that club over there. If that's what they want to do, that's something I would talk about. But it's never been part of the game. In hockey it's always been part of the game, which is a crazy thing because they beat the snot out of each other. (Baseball) has been played for over 100 years. You've just never seen it."
TRASH TALK: Cardinals pitcher Julian Tavarez on the Astros: "We don't look at them as a great team. They're good but we're better than them. We're the best."
