Astros tonight, y'all.
*David Barron: With a revamped roster and stadium, this is the Astros' time
*Dallas Keuchel:
I think the only difference is we've got a better team. I go about my business the same way each and every year, and that's to get myself ready to go nine innings.
*Evan Gattis will use a QB-style card strapped to his wrist when catching.
*Collin McHugh threw 65 pitches in a simulated game. Next stop: Houston for Opening Night, and then rehab start(s).
*David Schoenfield has what to watch for in every game today and I definitely should have taken today off.
*FanGraphs: The five craziest Opening Day games.
*The Hardball Times: The day that sustains us.
*38 of 53 FanGraphs people picked the Astros to win the division. Nine picked the Mariners, five picked the Ramgers, two picked the Angels.
*You can get real time exit velocities, hit probabilities, etc. thanks to Friend of AC Daren Willman.
*Right now the Astros are +$1400 to win the World Series and +$650 to win the AL Pennant.
*Brett Wallace was released by the Padres.
*Congratulations to the brave viewer at home, whose keen eye preserved the integrity of golf and cost Lexi Thompson a major.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
