*The Masked Marvel broke down ZiPS projections for the Astros from 2013-2018.
*MLB.com's Mike Petriello writes that the Astros' offense - which led the league in BA, SLG, wOBA, and wRC+ - could be better in 2018. Check the three things that need to go right for the Astros in order to have a historically-great offensive season. Petriello:
Ultimately, the argument is academic. Barring an injury disaster of epic proportions, this is going to be one of the the best lineups in baseball, probably the best, and whether it ranks in the top five or 15 or 30 of the all-time list is less important than how much damage they put on the rest of the AL in 2018.
*FanGraphs' Meg Rowley took a look at all 12 mound visits (271 seconds) in World Series Game 7 alone. This is very good.
*Former Astros Great Nori Aoki will spend 2018 with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
*Tracy Ringolsby says that failing in Arizona was the best education A.J. Hinch received as a manger.
*Colin Moran simplified his swing and is pumped about his opportunity in Pittsburgh.
*Here's the January 1915 reaction from the Cleveland Plain Dealer on the name of the Cleveland baseball team getting changed to the Indians:
Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 1915, on news of Cleveland’s American League club being named “Indians” pic.twitter.com/vHDNTnjlrx— Todd Radom (@ToddRadom) January 29, 2018
Yeah, that's not a tribute to Native American heritage.
MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince: When cartoons meet reality - a Chief Wahoo story.
*The story behind "Dilly Dilly!"
