Sunday Morning Hot Links

Pardon me for not posting Hot Links yesterday morning. As you regular readers have likely inferred, I am basically Eurotrash. Lots of Britpop, soccer fan. I get up to watch the Tour de France. It's a Problem, and of this I am fully aware. That said, my favorite team - Leeds United - came into yesterday 2nd in the Championship (the league below the Premier League). The top two teams get automatic promotion to the Premier League. Teams 3-6 play a playoff to be the 3rd team to go to the Premier League (while the three worst Premier League teams drop down a level. It's fascinating.) Leeds played Sheffield United at home yesterday morning. Sheffield United was in 3rd. It was A Big Game. Leeds hit the post, had chance after chance, and couldn't find the net. Sheffield United had one shot on goal, and it went in. Thus, Leeds dropped to 3rd, Sheffield United rose to 2nd. That's why there were no Hot Links. Because I was upset. There are eight games left.

*Oh, the Astros beat a Harper-less Philadelphia 13-5. Brad Peacock's curve was the best A.J. Hinch - who did not get thrown out by a trash-ass umpire today - .had seen this Spring. Also:

-The Astros scored nine runs in the 5th inning. They had 17 hits in the game: four doubles (Corey Julks, Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa, and Abraham Toro) and 13 singles.

-Michael Brantley was 3x3 with 3RBI and a walk.

-George Springer was 2x3 with a walk.

-Josh James made his Grapefruit League debut, and the plan is for him to start at some point this season.

-J.B. Bukauskas threw 3IP, 3H/1R (0ER), 5K:0BB with three groundouts and no flyouts.

J.B. Bukauskas, Disgusting 90mph Slider. 😮 pic.twitter.com/xhfzNkfqiN

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 16, 2019

*Hinch called A*gel Hernand*z "arrogant" and "unprofessional," and said they'd revisit what happened Friday during the season.

*Hunter Atkins writes about how Michael Brantley is the prototypical contact hitter. 

*Chris Devenski is getting inspiration from his new lion tattoo.

*MLBTR's Connor Byrne wonders if the Astros were aggressive enough this offseason.

*Scott Boras told Jon Paul Morosi that Dallas Keuchel "is receiving offers." Morosi says the Braves are closely monitoring Keuchel, which would make sense with McCann behind the plate for Atlanta.

*SI's Jon Tayler wonders when and where Keuchel will sign.

*A Three-Day Expedition to Walk Across Paris Entirely Underground.

*A Musical Selection: