The Astros tied the Nationals 5-5. What's their record so far this Spring? It doesn't matter. Yuli Gurriel was 2x2 with a (gasp) walk. Garrett Stubbs was 1x1 with a walk and a stolen base. Cristian Javier threw 2IP, 1H/1ER, 4K:2BB.
*Justin Verlander threw a simulated game, instead of starting against the Nationals, due to groin discomfort. Verlander:
(I) maybe noticed it just a little bit, but once I got on the mound and just kind of tried to pitch - not worry about it so much - it felt good and didn't feel it after that. Probably best case scenario today.
*Yordan Alvarez played all of 2019 with knee pain. Yordan:
I just worked hard every day to make sure I warmed up my lower body properly and just went out and played. I tried to manage it as best I could that way.
*Check out this Chandler Rome profile on Chas McCormick:
And Chas McCormick still remembers the Astros calling him in 2016, promising he'd be their 25th Round draft selection and get a $50,000 signing bonus, something almost unheard of for a player from Division II Millersville University...The follow-up call never came.
*Jake Kaplan: Cristian Javier and the "Invisiball" that has him on the verge of the Majors.
*Bryan Abreu has the filthiest secondary stuff among Astros prospects.
Sign-Stealing Stuff
*Vanderbilt's John Vrooman: What's that sound?
*LA Times: Did the Astros win the 2017 World Series because of cheating? The numbers say no.
*Tom Verducci: The Astros should be more concerned with the "mental toll" of 2020 rather than the HBPs.
*Jon Heyman tweeted that the Astros "seem sad."
Other Stuff
*SI: Inside the All-Star Cafe Baseball Card Heist.
*NY Times: My ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend is Lady Gaga.
*I prepared for everything, but not Coronavirus on a cruise ship.
*Three Republicans, including Louie Gohmert, and an Independent voted against an Anti-Lynching bill. (Gohmert said the penalty wasn't harsh enough.)
*ESPN: A week in Manila with Manny Pacquiao.
*Panera is offering an unlimited coffee plan for $8.99/month.
*A Musical Selection:
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
