*The Astros lost to the Cardinals 3-2 last night on Collin McHugh Spring Debut night. McHugh needed 47 pitches to get through 1.2IP, and will likely make two starts on the minor-league side while on the DL.
*Tony Sipp doesn't want you to look at the numbers of his Spring Training. (He gave up a double and a walk in his return to action last night).
*On a related note, Jeff Luhnow doesn't feel like they have to run out and find a lefty reliever.
*The Astros may look into adding a starting pitcher closer to the trade deadline, but are okay with starting the season with a healthy Keuchel and McCullers.
*You have to scroll down past all the AL East talk, but Ken Rosenthal says the biggest question for the Astros is whether they'll need one starting pitcher, or two.
*Sports on Earth writes that the AL West could, but maybe won't, have a new division champion come October.
*ESPN has the Astros 5th in their Power Rankings, with best-case/worst-case scenarios...
*Dayan Diaz was officially told he wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster, meaning the 8th and final bullpen spot is between James Hoyt and Jandel Gustave.
*John Sickels revised his Top 200 Prospects list and A.J. Reed jumped to 66th. Why?
The hot spring is part of that, but mostly it is because I buy into the reports that he has fixed his swing mechanics and suspect that this will be sustainable.
*The Hardball Times looked into a question we had at Lima Time Time last season: were the 2016 Astros' starters too similar?
*Bad day for former Astros in the Orioles organization as Michael Bourn and Chris Johnson were both released.
*Barry Bonds and the greatest fun fact of all time.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
