The Astros will catch a break against the Brewers by missing Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia during the three-game series. Sheets pitched Thursday against the Cardinals, a night after Sabathia threw a shutout for his third consecutive complete game to improve to 4-0 since he was acquired from the Indians.

But that's not to say Sabathia and Sheets won't be on the Astros' mind.

Houston fans -- and players -- are hoping the team will make a run at Sheets and Sabathia this winter through free agency.

With Sabathia, Sheets and Manny Parra, the Brewers remind Roy Oswalt of the 2005 Astros, who went to the World Series with Oswalt, Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte leading the rotation.

"I think they've got a good team," Oswalt said. "Adding CC, that's another guy with Sheets that if you get in a five-game playoff series, you have a good chance to win. Anytime you get two front-line starters like that, if they're both healthy, they give you a chance to win."

Carlos Lee and Co. would love to pair Sheets or Sabathia with Oswalt next season.

"Imagine Oswalt, Sheets and (Wandy) Rodriguez," says Lee, who played in Milwaukee with Sheets and would definitely put a lobbying effort together if Ed Wade or Drayton McLane asks.

Oswalt and Sheets were teammates together on the 2000 Olympic team that won a gold medal.

"It would be good for both of them to join us," Oswalt said of Sheets and Sabathia. "For sure it takes a lot of pressure off one guy when you have two guys like that. You don't have to be so perfect every time out. You have guys pick each other up. You feed off each other the whole year instead of just relying on one."

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