The Astros will allegedly play the Yankees today at 12pm Central to try and open the season for the second time.
*The NY Post's Kevin Kernan points to Starlin Castro hitting 8th for the Yankees as a sign of lineup depth.
*More Post: Dallas Keuchel, "the same bearded lefty nightmare that ended [the Yankees'] 2015 season."
Astros vs. Masahiro Tanaka, all-time:
Luis Valbuena (11 PA): .364/.364/.545
Jose Altuve (6 PA): .167/.167/.667
Carlos Correa (6 PA): .333/.333/.833
George Springer (6 PA): .500/.667/.750
Carlos Gomez (5 PA): .750/.800/1.750
Colby Rasmus (5 PA): .200/.200/.800
Jason Castro (4 PA): .000/.250/.000
Of the current Yankees to face Dallas Keuchel, Carlos Beltran seems to most have his number, hitting him for a .417/.462/.750 line in 13 plate appearances. A-Rod is 1x10, Teixeira is 2x8 with a walk, Chase Headley is 3x15 with a home run. In 86 plate appearances against current Yankees, Keuchel has allowed a .195/.233/.329 line.
In four starts against the Yankees, including the Wild Card Game, Keuchel has thrown 30IP, 19H/3ER, 33K:2BB.
Jason Castro and Jose Altuve will be making their 5th straight Opening Day start - most for their positions since Brad Ausmus (2003-2008) and Craig Biggio (1992-2002).
Carlos Correa is the 8th different Opening Day shortstop in the last eight years. Previous Opening Day Astros shortstops: Jed Lowrie (2015), Jonathan Villar (2014), Ronny Cedeno (2013), Marwin Gonzalez (2012), Someone Named Angel Sanchez (2011), Tommy Manzella (2010), Miguel Tejada (2009).
Houston has won their last three Opening Day games having lost their previous six Opening Day games from 2007-2012.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
