Wednesday Morning Hot Links

*Brian McTaggart writes that the bullpen is trying to cut down on its inconsistency.

*Lest you get excited by Texas Governor Greg Abbott's prediction that the Astros will win another World Series as another prognostication of baseball dominance, he had this to say about the Astros' in-state rivals:
Nothing better than a World Series between the Astros and Rangers.

Indeed. That would be...something.

*The Venetian in Las Vegas has the following odds for the 2018 World Series:
Dodgers: 9/2
Yankees: 5/1
Astros: 6/1
Indians: 6/1
Nationals: 8/1
Cubs: 9/1
Red Sox: 10/1
Rangers: 100/1
Marlins: 300/1

*Tony DeFrancesco was hired by the Mets to be the Las Vegas 51s new manager. Joel Chimelis is the 51s new hitting coach, having been with the Astros in a minor-league coaching capacity since 2006.

*The Rangers don't think they can grow grass in their new $1.1b stadium scheduled to open in two years.

*Houston, how about some Caravan details with Brady Rodgers, Forrest Whitley, and Steve Sparks?
3:30-4:30pm: Chick-Fil-A on Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena. Wear Astros gear in this hour and get a free sandwich. No autographs.
5-6pm: Academy at 2804 Business Center Drive in Pearland. Autograph session with the commemorative World Series Champion autograph card.
5-7pm: Caravan Jam at Pearland Town Center, 30 minute appearance from players.

*Beaumont, how about Tony Kemp, Tyler White, and Geoff Blum?
4-5pm: Academy at 7130 Eastex Freeway, autographs with the commemorative card.
5-7pm: Caravan Jam at 1455 Dowlen Road, Beaumont.

*Austin, you're still up to get pictures with the trophy today. Here's the schedule:
3:30pm: Pluckers at 3909 South Lamar (no autographs, but there will be "mingling.")
5-6pm: Academy at 5400 Brodie Lane in Sunset Valley. Autographs with J.D. Davis, Brad Peacock and James Hoyt, and a picture with the trophy.
5-7pm: Caravan Jam at the Long Center (701 W. Riverside Drive). Q&A from 6:15-6:45 with Peacock and Hoyt

Astrodome at night pic.twitter.com/ZLPGrPpYKf

— John Bateman (@JohnnyBateman7) January 9, 2018

So Call-Ups are a reward

I thought Ed Wade didn't believe in using September Call-Ups as a reward. But that's exactly what it means for Tri-City hitting coach Joel Chimelis, who has been brought to Houston for the three games with the Braves, Lancaster pitching coach Don Alexander (this weekend against the Pirates), and Round Rock manager Marc Bombard (Sept 21-27).

Wade:
"We usually bring people up in September when we have extra guys on the roster, but it's also somewhat of a reward. Bomby's been up several times over the course of his career, so he wanted to spend a little bit more time with his family. So I asked Ricky (Bennett) for some alternatives, and he recommended Joel and Donnie. These guys work hard and don't get a lot of recognition for what they do, particularly at the lower levels.

"So it's nice to give them an opportunity to be here. Plus, I think it helps from the standpoint of a frame of reference and perspective. They spend an entire season, (Chimelis) does, in the New York-Penn League looking at those kids. When he's in spring training and you ask him to evaluate talent and put prospect grades on guys, if all you've watched is New York-Penn players, it's hard to say this guy's an impact. Then you come up here and spend three or four games up here and you see the game at field level and I think in your mind's eye you begin to sort of maybe slide back a little bit of those evaluations."

Where's the love for Luis Pujols!