RH - 2008 stats: 7-7, 5.15 ERA

The righthander went all of last season without facing division-rival Houston, and he had just eight starts at home all summer, going 3-1 with 4.05 ERA. In two starts vs. Astros as a Cardinal in 2007, Pi?eiro was 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA.

Mike Hampton

LH - 2008 stats: 3-4, 4.85 ERA

Since the Cardinals courted him as a free agent before 2001, Hampton has had just one 200-inning season. The injury-prone lefty, returning to his Astros roots, has made just 25 starts and pitched 147 1/3 innings since 2004, missing two complete seasons.