It's not the sizzling fajitas at Pappasito's or the smoked brisket at Goode Co. Barbeque, though both are big hitters.

The hottest thing in Houston is Lance Berkman's bat, and the Phillies will get an up-close look at it as they open a four-game series against the Astros tonight at Minute Maid Park.

"He's crushing the ball," Phils manager Charlie Manuel said. "When you're getting him out, you're more or less fooling him."

Berkman, a switch-hitting, four-time all-star, entered last night's game against the Chicago Cubs hitting .507, with eight homers and 21 RBIs, in his previous 19 games.

"I've seen this before," said Phillies closer Brad Lidge, who was a teammate of Berkman's for six seasons before joining the Phillies in a November trade. "He's one of the best hitters in the game. There aren't too many hitters that can match his natural skill.

"I've spoken to him and I told him, 'Stay hot - until we get there.' "

Berkman entered last night hitting .388, which was second in the majors to the .409 of Atlanta's Chipper Jones. He was leading the majors in homers with 16, total bases with 132, runs with 49, extra-base hits with 33, and slugging at .776. His 44 RBIs were the most in the National League. (Texas' Josh Hamilton was No. 1 in the majors with 51.)

Over his career, Berkman is hitting .287, with nine homers and 40 RBIs, in 52 games against the Phillies.

Berkman isn't the only producer in the Astros' lineup. Shortstop Miguel Tejada entered last night ranked among the league leaders in batting average at .342, RBIs with 34, and runs with 38.

Former Phillie Michael Bourn, who was part of the Lidge trade, entered last night leading the league with 19 stolen bases. However, he was hitting just .196.

Lidge returns

He gave up a mammoth home run to St. Louis' Albert Pujols in the 2005 National League Championship Series - the Astros still won the pennant - and struggled with consistency the next two seasons.

"Hopefully, I'll get some applause," Lidge said. "We'll see. I spent over five years there. I have some pretty cool memories on what we were able to accomplish."

At the time of the trade, many predicted Lidge would benefit from a change of scenery. So far, he has thrived with the Phils. He is 11 for 11 in save chances and has allowed just one earned run in 20 innings.

"I think the change-of-scenery stuff can be overrated," Lidge said. "But in my case, because I was ready to go and ended up with a team like the Phillies that was ready to win and has a lot of energy and excitement, I think it has helped me."

Burrell's bat

"He has the same stance and setup," Manuel said. "He's just going through a period where he's not hitting. The only thing I see him doing wrong is he's starting to chase bad breaking balls. He's pulling off the ball a little."

Burrell hit .326, with eight homers and 25 RBIs, in 28 games in April. He is 12 for 63 (.190) in 19 games in May.

"That's why you have a lineup," Manuel said. "When somebody is struggling, somebody has got to pick him up."

Extra bases

- Jim Salisbury

Phillies Notes: