Oswalt: Astros Ace Ready For Season

Roy Oswalt has a couple of weeks left to get into game shape. It looks like he's already rounding into form. Oswalt allowed three runs and one hit in 5 2/3 innings to help the Houston Astros beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 Sunday. He didn't allow a hit until Reed Johnson's double in the sixth inning. "He was outstanding," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "That looked like season-ready right there." Oswalt had planned to pitch just five innings, but returned for the sixth because he had thrown only about 50 pitches after five. He finished with 71 pitches, 48 for strikes. "Pitch count is the biggest thing," he said. "I needed to get the pitch count up so I'll be ready to throw 100 pitches when the season starts."

Oswalt, who went 15-8 with a 2.98 ERA last season, will start his fifth straight opener when Houston hosts Pittsburgh on April 2. Oswalt is one of the top 10 starters in all Fantasy leagues, perhaps worthy of going in the top 5 -- especially in Head-to-Head leagues. Oswalt is now 1-1 with a 4.30 ERA and 15 strikeouts through 14 2/3 spring innings.
Source: CBS SportsLine.com