It's worked before between Pedro [Martinez] and Schilling, and I pitched behind Roger [Clemens] when Roger was here. I like the philosophy.

When it comes to Roger Clemens, I have to be optimistic.

That's the plan. It's worked before between Pedro and Schilling and myself. You'd have to ask hitters if it really makes a difference, but I think if you get in a three-game series with Schilling, myself and (Josh) Beckett, that kind of contrast, I think chances are pretty good if we all have our 'A' games that day.

It makes you better. I've watched Pedro do it. I watched (Randy Johnson) do it, and I've seen (Roger) Clemens do it. It's a weapon that I've never felt that I've used to any extent in the past. And I'm going to use it.

[The Astros have been shut out 17 times. Nine of those came when Clemens pitched.] I'm perplexed by it, ... In several of those games we could have played 30 innings and not scored a run. ... We're an unusual team. It's strange.

When you go against a guy like Greg Maddux or a Roger Clemens, I don't care if it's a regular season game, is a guy with that kind of command and if he starts getting an edge he pushes and pushes it so it's up to whoever the umpire is,