Tuesday Morning Hot Links

Two days until Opening Day. Why hasn't anyone signed an extension this week this is ridiculous. I found out that one of my responsibilities at work will keep me away from the entire G1. That's probably good news for everyone else's enjoyment of the day.

*The Astros played Pittsburgh and a 7-run 3rd inning was able to hold off a Pirate 5-run 6th inning for a 12-9 win. Notable:

-Forrest Whitley: 3IP, 6H/3ER, 2K:1BB
-Framber Valdez: 1.2IP, 3H/5ER, 1K:2BB
-Myles Straw, Nick Tanielu, Tyler White, and Garrett Stubbs all homered.

FOAC Cody Stoots has the recap of Whitley's outing. David Barron hopes that Whitley's next start in Houston will go a little better.

*Houston leads MLB.com's first Power Rankings of the year.

*A.J. Hinch literally loves the 2019 Houston Astros. Hinch:
I have as much confidence as I have ever had. I love the edge we have, and we all know what it takes to get to the finish line. 

*Justin Verlander still thinks that free agency is broken, but that isn't why he signed a 2yr extension last week. Verlander, on Houston:
I just can't see a better situation. 

*Sean Pendergast has four thoughts on the Verlander extension.

*The Bold Prediction for the 2019 Astros is that Carlos Correa will be the best player on the team.

*Somehow the Astros' bullpen ranks 4th in MLB, behind the Yankees, A's (?), and Pirates.

*Jake Kaplan has a really good Q&A with Hero Charlie F. Morton.

*The Astros released Ryne Birk (13th Round, 2016), Alex Winkelman (21st Round, 2015), and Carlos Sierra (2016 international signing).

*SI says that Indians and Pirates fans should strongly consider boycotting their teams.

*Cool story in The Athletic about Andre Hal's internship with Headspace - an app The Wife and I use on the reg.

*A Musical Selection:

Monday Morning Hot Links

We return from a somewhat-unintended but not totally-uncalled for one week break from blogging to bring you the finest links around the world of the Astros, and baseball. Sort of. It's been pretty slow.

*McTaggart has five highlights from 2015.

*The 2015 MLB rookie class could be the best ever.

*TCB has a good writeup on new Astro/Cuban pitcher Carlos Sierra.

*Ken Rosenthal is voting for Bagwell (and Bonds, and Clemens).

*The Seattle Times' Geoff Baker notes the average baseball salary is now $3.95m.

*Here's an interesting story about a Cuero native who ended up in baseball due to a chance encounter with Gerry Hunsicker.