*George Springer hit a homer on the first pitch of the game and Yulieski Gurriel followed suit in the first inning in an 8-4 Astros win over the Twins. Both had two hits in the game. J.D. Davis was 3x4. Dallas Keuchel threw 5IP, 5H/2ER, 3K:1BB; James Hoyt allowed 2H/1ER in 1IP.
*Be sure to check out this chat at FiveThirtyEight - "Sorry, Mike Trout: The AL West Belongs to the Astros." I mean, when has FiveThirtyEight ever not projected a major contest correctly?
*Collin McHugh threw 41 pitches in a minor-league game as he builds his pitch count to try to avoid starting the season on the DL.
Also in that link we find that David Paulino will begin the season on the DL with a bone bruise on his elbow.
*Nolan Ryan is in camp to talk to the starting pitchers about their preparation, mentality, and pitching deep into games.
*George Springer is ready for his WBC buddies to come back.
*Kate Morrison wonders what the Astros should do with A.J. Reed.
*Catcher Juan Centeno is a "very good insurance policy" for the Astros.
*Brian Radziewski, the Astros 9th Round pick in the 2014 draft, signed with the independent Sioux City Explorers. Radziewski didn't pitch last year due to injury.
*Beyond the Box Score looks at the old Melancon-for-Lowrie-and-Weiland trade.
*Reminder that Enrique Hernandez is a national treasure and I miss him greatly.
*The Angels' Luis Valbuena left the game yesterday with tightness in the hamstring on which he had surgery last year.
*The surprisingly wild storyof the Cubs' 2006 signing of Ted Lilly...
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
