*Justin Verlander threw 5IP today, with 3H/1ER, 7K:1BB - the lone run was a homer by Jack Mayfield. Cristian Javier announced his presence with authority: 4.1IP, 6H/1ER, 3K:1BB. Cristian Javier is going to be a freaking star.
*There's an 80% chance of rain in Kansas City tomorrow (Monday) evening. If it looks like the game will get rained out, the Astros just won't go to Kansas City. If there's no game tomorrow, they won't play on Tuesday, either. Great system you've set up here, MLB.
*Pitching matchups for this weekend:
Friday: Verlander vs Marco Gonzales
Saturday: McCullers vs Taijuan Walker
Sunday: Greinke vs Yusei Kikuchi
Monday: Josh James vs Kendall Graveman
*Dusty Baker says that Roberto Osuna isn't hurt, he just came to Camp late ("through no fault of his own").
*Austin Pruitt is apparently ahead of Brad Peacock in terms of being ready for Opening Day, but neither will be ready for Opening Day.
*Brandon Bielak and Framber Valdez are trying to make the team out of Summer Training.
*Chandler Rome: No one is talking about George Springer's impending free agency.
*Dusty Baker, on John Lewis.
*Aledmys Diaz thinks Yordan will "be ready." When? Who freaking knows.
*Former Astros Great Collin McHugh is opting out of the 2020 season. Reminder that Collin McHugh did every single thing the Astros asked of him, and he is not to be slandered in any way on this web site.
*Tony Gwynn made his MLB debut on this date in 1982. Some key things to remember about Tony Gwynn:
-His lowest OPS+ in a season was 105...in his 2nd year with the Padres.
-From 1984 to 2001 Tony Gwynn hit .340/.390/.463, a 134 OPS+.
-Tony Gwynn's highest single-season strikeout total was 82, in 1987.
-Tony Gwynn had more doubles than strikeouts in 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001.
-Tony Gwynn's career games with four strikeouts: 0
-Tony Gwynn's career games with three strikeouts: 1
-Tony Gwynn's career games with two strikeouts: 33
-Tony Gwynn's career games with one strikeout: 365
-Tony Gwynn's career games with zero strikeouts: 2,041
-I had the good fortune of working at the Hall of Fame in 2008 when Tony Gwynn was inducted, and I got to meet him (and Cal Ripken, Jr.). Tony Gwynn was hands-down one of the kindest, nicest people I met, and I was extremely sad when he passed away.
*Derby County 1 - Leeds United 3.
Piss off, Derby County. Last year, after an unlikely Leeds' home defeat in the playoffs to Derby County, the Frank Lampard-led team wrecked the visitors' locker room and took a dump on the floor. Today they had to form a guard of honor at their own park to welcome the f***ing champions.
They’ll talk about this for decades to come #LUFC pic.twitter.com/Yjm1TAtdPA— Right in the Gary Kellys (WE'RE GOING UP!) 🏆 (@RITGK) July 19, 2020
How Marcelo Bielsa turned Leeds into a team of champions.
*Smithsonian Magazine: An early run-in with censors led Rod Serling to The Twilight Zone.
*A 16-minute long Musical Selection:
A bonus Musical Selection: Watch Prince absolutely destroy While My Guitar Gently Weeps:
