(My Sportsbook) - Woody Williams is a Houston native through-and-through. He was born there, was a three-sport star in high school and attended the University of Houston, where he was an All-Region shortstop.

Now Williams will go against what his friends and some family members are cheering for, an Astros victory.

Williams, a 28th round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1988, will get the start in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Houston Astros Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.

"Growing up there I've always been an Astro fan," Williams said. "It's the team I've always rooted for my whole life. It's kind of bittersweet for me, but at the same time, right now I'm a Cardinal fan."

The 38-year-old Williams will get the starting assignment in Game 1 for the second straight series. He threw the opener of the Division Series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers last Tuesday, allowing eight hits and two runs over six innings and got the victory. Now he has the task of facing a power-packed Houston lineup that features Carlos Beltran, Lance Berkman, Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Kent and Craig Biggio.

"We weren't expected to do what we've done," Williams said. "We're still set up to do the best we can and hopefully win the series. The Astros aren't going to lay over. They're going to be a very difficult opponent."

The Astros just finished off their first playoff series victory in team history, defeating the Atlanta Braves in five games in that Division Series.

"I know it's a big deal for them to finally get past the first step," Williams said of the Astros.

There will actually be two Texas natives on the hill Wednesday night. Righthander Brandon Backe was born in Galveston. He attended Galveston Community College and makes his offseason home in League City, Texas.

Backe will start on three days' rest Wednesday night after throwing six innings in a win over the Braves on Saturday.

"This is going to be a very intense series," Backe said. "We faced each other numerous times during the season. We've had some words exchanged every now and then. There's going to be a lot of offense. I'm looking forward to having a good series."