Monthly Archives: April 2013
“Who Owns Baseball?” An explanation for a subjective title.
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Just how far can Bryce Harper improve during his 2nd season? If he can improve by about 15 % might we see a 30 HR/ 30 SB, year with around 120 Runs Scored and 80 Extra Base Hits? This would vault the 20 Year Old LF into MVP consideration. He hit 2 HRs on Opening Day – and is crushing regular hits as well. Harper is 6 – 12 with 2 HRs and 3 RBI through 3 games. The Nats swept the Marlins in 3 straight.
By Paul Francis Sullivan (Lead Baseball Writer/Personality): Follow @sullybaseball
On my podcast, The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast (available on iTunes), I have been keeping track of a title of my creation. It is the title of “Who Owns Baseball?” for a given day.
Essentially it is the star of the day, with an American League and National League hitter and pitcher being honored. Its origin stems from the Opening Day heroics of Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw. I wrote on Twitter that they “owned baseball today.”
And I thought why not keep track of that? Why not follow an entire season, as I am going to do anyway, and declare a pitcher and a hitter from each league as the “Owners of Baseball.”
Yu Darvish’s near Perfect Game:
White Sox Off To A Good Start
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Follow @mlbreportsThursday April.4/2013
Opening Day saw 39012 brave and tough Chicago and other natives – take in the game. The club narrowly escaped with a 1 – 0 victory against their Division AL Central Rival The Kansas City Royals. Game #2 saw the Bullpen throw 3 IP and only yield 1 hit for their effort. The Sox are not expected to contend for a playoff position – although they carry multiple time ALL – Star players on their Roster. Does everyone forget that the ‘Southsiders’ led the AL Central for the majority of the year during the 2012 season? The Tigers barely nudged them out for the Division at the end of September. The Sox are looking for payback in 2013.
By Brian Madsen (White Sox Correspondent): Follow @brianm731
The last time the White Sox won on Opening Day by a score of 1-0 was 2005. They won the World Series that year. They beat the Royals 1-0 on Monday behind a solid pitching performance by Chris Sale and a solo HR from Tyler Flowers.
Monday was Opening Day. Not that that means anything, but baseball fans are superstitious. I know I am.
The Sox were 6-12 against the Royals in 2012, proving to be the Sox undoing. After their victory on Wednesday against KC 5-2, they’re 2-0 against the Royals so for in 2013. You have to understand, this is mind boggling for a White Sox fan.
The Royals have been the Sox’ achilles heel for what seems like forever now. If the Sox find a way to knock around Jeremy “Catfish” Guthrie today, the world may come to an end. Guthrie posted a 0.30 ERA vs the Sox last season, but, only managed one victory against them.
White Sox Opening Day At Us Cellular Field – Mature Content so Parental Guidance is advised:
Kershaw Smacks 1st HR And Nets Win In Dodgers Opener – Before LA Loses 2 In A Row
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Dodger Stadium was at full capacity (53,138) on Monday’s Opening Day. It was 66 Degrees at Game Time. With the MLB’ s biggest payroll right now, the Dodgers have heavy expectations in 2013. They won 4 – 0 on Mondays game – before dropping back to back games to the Giants Starting Pitchers Bumgarner and Lincecum. Matt Kemp is still hitless on the year – and Adrian Gonzalez had not had a base knock since his 2nd AB of the Year. On a solid note, Carl Crawford has looked great with 5 Base Hits in 9 At – Bats. The team has switched Luis Cruz to Shortstop and Juan Uribe to 3rd after a brutal Game #2 by Justin Sellers (which featured a couple of errors).
By Enrique Rivera (Dodgers Correspondent): Follow @eriqwiththeq
Everything just went right for the Dodgers. Crawford got two hits (including a Double), Adrian Gonzalez got a hit, Ethier got a hit, Kemp scored a run, just what the Dodgers expect out of their stars.
The Dodgers made Matt Cain throw 35 pitches in the 1st inning – including Kemp drawing a 11 Pitcher AB, with several Foul – Balls before finally Striking Out.
This still jacked up Cain’s pitch count, causing the Giants to lift him before the Bottom of the 7th. After the 8th Inning HR, the club even scratched out two runs on Infield grounders!
Without signing a contract extension during the winter, the 2011 Cy Young Award winner (and 2012 runner-up) Clayton Kershaw did more than expected for the Dodgers as they defeated the reigning World Champs – and Dodger arch-rival San Francisco Giants 4 – 0.
Not only did he picked up the win, he earned himself his first Shutout of the season. He allowed only four hits and Struckout seven hitters.
Clayton Kershaw is interviewed on Opening Day HR:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 4, 2013
On today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, podcaster Patrick Beaulieu calls in to talk Blue Jays, Roy Halladay and why he thinks the Royals will have a solid season.
Patrick is the host of The Triple Play Podcast on MLBReports.com and talked about how his native Canada is reacting to a possible Blue Jays renaissance.
And with Gio Gonzalez, Clay Buchholz, Jed Lowrie and Gerardo Parra owning baseball last night, they all join the list of previous owners.
Let’s update the tally.
Players who owned baseball for the Day
Clay Buchholz – 1
Madison Bumgarner – 1
Yu Darvish – 1
Jacoby Ellsbury – 1
Carlos Gonzalez – 1
Gio Gonzalez – 1
Bryce Harper – 1
Felix Hernandez – 1
Adam Jones – 1
Clayton Kershaw – 1
Jed Lowrie – 1
Justin Maxwell – 1
Bud Norris – 1
Gerardo Parra – 1
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Stadium Love: Rogers Centre On Blue Jays Opening Day 2013
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Geddy Lee is the front man for the Canadian Band Rush and threw out the first pitch. 48857 fans jam-packed the Rogers Center this past Tuesday. The team is favored to win the American League east by Las Vegas Oddsmakers. Despite a raucous crowd, plus national attention by the Canadian Sports Television Networks, the Jays lost the game 4 – 1. Last night they dropped a 3 – 2 decision to the Indians in Extra Innings – to start the year 0 – 2. This game featured half the attendance (24,619) of Tuesday celebrated opener. The Jays fans are still excited, but need to see results.
By Jordan Hennessey (MLB Reports Contributor) Follow @hennej
The marketing machines at Rogers Communications, the parent company of the Blue Jays came up with opening week commercials with the theme being “Stadium Love. That is exactly what it was on Tuesday.
It has been a long time since there was this much excitement heading into a Jays season. Suddenly a city that hasn’t enjoyed a winning sports season in quite some time is completely infatuated with all things Blue Jays.
You can look into what all the bookmakers say but this team is stacked, and people are talking about them.
If you were lucky enough to get a ticket to the home opener last night you were in for the treat. Outcome aside, and even with the generally slow pace of the game, the energy was still electric.
The entire city was buzzing and one bar even had the theme song of the Blue Jays playing in the afternoon.
Blue Jays – Lets Play Ball Song:
How The Weather Plays A Factor At Target Field
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Follow @mlbreportsWednesday April 3, 2013
Target Field was a must need for the Twins a few years ago. The HHH Metrodome just was not getting the job done, much like Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay. The weather was and still is the one downside because during the games early in the season the weather can get low with wind being able to rattle the ball around in the air. The Twins used to be among the leaders in the American League in Home Batting Average and Extra Base Hits – now it is a struggle for the offense to maintain itself. The park is even more of a factor than injuries to Mauer and Morneau have been.
By Kyle Holland (MLB Reports Writer): Follow @TheKHolland13
When the Minnesota Twins left the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in 2010 they had great intentions. The ball getting lost in the ceiling would be gone and the Baggie in Left Field would no longer play a factor.
They moved to a beautiful new home, still in Minnesota, going by the name of Target Field. Like all stadiums when they were first built, it is one of the nicest looking stadiums in the MLB.
There is only one problem with the new field. It is outside. In Minnesota. You are not going to get the nice weather like you would in Florida or Los Angeles. And having games there this early in the season can sometimes make it incredibly cold during the first couple weeks of the new campaign.
Time Lapse of Target Field Being Built:
[youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k038CkEO7A] Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 3, 2013
In a jammed packed episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I talk about listening to Yu Darvish’s attempt for a perfect game while at Ikea, the futility of Heath Bell and the dominance of the San Francisco Giants.
And I determined which hitters and pitchers owned baseball for the day.
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What Buster Posey’s New Contract Means For The Giants
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Follow @mlbreportsWednesday April.3, 2013
I don’t know that there is a single Giants fan that didn’t want this to happen. Buster Posey has done about as much as any player could possibly do for a city in his few years with the Giants, and I think we’re all glad that he has the opportunity to retire as a career Giant. While this signing on the surface looks like every other major extension, a player does something better than most and rightfully now gets paid handsomely for it. This signing brings a few interesting implications along with it.
By Jon Schifferle ( Giants Correspondent – visit his own personal website here.) Follow @jonschifferle
5 Points About Posey’s Contract:
1.The Giants are ready to compete for a long time.
Through the extensions of Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, and Buster Posey, the Giants have shown that they are ready to keep this core, build around it, and compete every year with it.
When franchises are starting to let their stars go, or even trading away their stars for younger players with little experience but lots of potential, it is generally the first sign of a rebuilding club.
This is not always true, sometimes the players are forced out, or they have fallen out of favor with the team, and then are traded, but generally it is the start of a bad pattern that eventually causes the team to end up looking like the Cubs or the Astros.
The Giants clearly feel that they won’t need to take this path to be competitive in the future, and that they can refuel their farm system without trades or extra draft picks.
Buster Posey Highlights from 2012 – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is advised:
Athletes vs. Actors – PEDs vs. Plastic Surgery
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Follow @mlbreportsWednesday April.3, 2013
Alex Rodriguez is an admitted PED user – and claims to only have done this while playing for the Texas Rangers. With the new Biogenesis scandal surrounding him – how much more would his legacy be tarnished if he was found to have cheated in New York City? It is clear that the penalties enforced by MLB for such violations are not enough of a factor – to prevent their players from trying to gain an advantage. While MLB has adopted increasingly higher suspensions for positive tests than prior to 2005, they are still not high enough to prevent kids from trying out these enhancers, because the rewards still outweigh the risk.
By Lori Martini (Senior Reporter and Baseball Writer): Follow @LoriMartini
As an actor, especially being female it is very tough competition. There are fewer roles for women and more female actors than men. To make matters worse, nobody wants you when you get older, which makes our time frame as a working actor very slim if one is even lucky enough to be a successful working actor.
Some women turn to plastic surgery to try to obtain roles for parts that really should be played by 30 or 40 somethings, yet the casting notices dictate that you must look 20’s.
Not only are there these unrealistic roles, but lately I’ve been seeing more and more degrading roles out there for women such as being topless, OK with performing simulated sex acts – even as far to be OK with being peed or defecated on.
Seriously, how much more are they going to push the envelope, yet not expect men to do the same?
Alex Rodriguez Admits To Steroid Use:
3 Reasons That The Pirates Will – Or Won’t End 20 Years Of Consecutive Losing Records
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The Pirates are hoping to bring winning baseball for the beautiful PNC Park in 2013.
By Brad Cuprik (Pirates Correspondent) Follow @bradcuprik
The statistical improvements are easy to decipher in Clint Hurdle‘s first two years as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2011, the Bucs were 72-90, scored 610 Runs and gave up 712 Runs. Those were improvements of 15 victories, 23 Runs Scored and an impressive 154 less Runs Allowed.
This past season, Pittsburgh improved in all three categories again – earning 79 victories with 651 Runs Scored and 674 Runs Allowed. If it seems like an excruciatingly long time since Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, Andy Van Slyke and Doug Drabek were leading the Pirates to a winning season and a third consecutive NLCS, that’s because it has been – two decades to be exact.
Bill Clinton was just starting his first term as President of the United States and something called Color Me Badd was popular on the radio.
Questionable music aside, if the Pirates want to put an end to all that losing, another year of similar improvement will get them over the .500 hump.
Here are three reasons why 2013 will be the year it happens for them and three reasons why the longest consecutive streak of losing seasons in professional sports will reach 21 years.
Sid Breams 1992 NLCS Game 7 Slide kicked off a 20 Year Consecutive Losing Records Streak
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 2, 2013
Bryce Harper owned baseball on Opening Day
On today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I cover the first full day of the regular season and I have created a new stat… “Which Players Owned Baseball For The Day?”
I will keep track of that all year. For now, enjoy the podcast.
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Game 1 Recap Of The Nats Big Opening Day Win – A Glimpse Of Things To Come
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Just as impressive as Harper 2 HRs yesterdayn- was Strasburg’s being unleashed on the world for a full season. His start featured an 80 pitch performance over 7 shutout IP. Strasburg didn’t even have his best command – falling behind 1-0 on 13 of the 23 batters he faced. He finished the day with only three Strikeouts, but no walks and giving up only 3 hits.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
Seeing Stephen Strasburg picked to win the Cy Young should come as no surprise to anyone. He did finish 2012 tied with Gio Gonzalez for the best FIP in the majors at 2.82 – and led all starters with a staggering 11.13 K/9. There are arguments that can be made that when Stephen Strasburg is firing on all cylinders – he is the best pitcher in the NL and among the best on the planet.
The same argument cannot be made for Bryce Harper as an Outfielder. Based on stats last year, he finished seventh in the NL in fWAR and tied for eighth in wOBA with Jay Bruce and Garrett Jones.
No one is picking Jay Bruce or Garrett Jones for their MVP. In all of the NL Bryce Harper‘s .352 wOBA ranked sixteenth.
Bryce Harper 2 HR Performance On Opening Day – MLB Reports does not own anything from this video:
Justin Verlander Makes Good On His 1st Start After Signing His Recent 5 Year Extension
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Justin Verlander paid immediate dividends for his new Salary Extension in the Tigers Season Opener on the road yesterday at Target field, throwing 5 scoreless Innings and fanning 7 batters. Verlander anchors a talented Detroit Pitching Rotation that features Max Scherzer, Doug Fister, Anibal Sanchez and Rick Porcello. Detroit GM Dave Dombroski is smart enough to realize that there is possiblu a small 3 year window with Fielder, Cabrera and the former AL Cy Young Award Winner all on the same team signed – and primed for another World Series Title push with this move.
By Matthew Lafave (Tigers Correspondent) Follow @MatthewLafave
No worries, the ‘Holy Grail’ of Detroit will be a Tiger through 2019. Last Friday afternoon, Justin Verlander inked a record-breaking 5-year contract extension.
He will earn $20 Million this season and next season, then a whopping $28 Million per year for the next five seasons.
In case math isn’t your strong suit, that’s a total of $180 Million. The deal also includes a vesting option for 2020 that’s worth $22 Million. So he could potentially earn $202 Million over the next 8 years.
What is a Vesting Option? It’s basically a clause that reassures teams from overpaying to declining players. While we don’t officially know the Vesting Option clause, it is said to be based on Cy Young Award balloting (as reported by Larry Lage, AP).
Justin Verlander Highlights – Highlights from 2012 – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance are advised.
The Marlins Seriously Make Stupid Choices
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The Marlins will start year 2 of their ball park with about 33 % of their 2012 Team Salary. They essentially have traded away every veteran over the course of last season and in the winter of 2013. Just like they have always done, the club builds up for a few years, then tears it all down with lighting fast movements. When will the cycle end and the Marlins have some consistency with the product on the field?
MLB Reports: Welcome to our newest Kids writer Jason Alpert-Wisnia – for being selected to join our MLB Reports Kids Writing team. We are pleased to present the readers with a youthful look to the game of baseball. Moms and Dad’s – if you have a young kid who loves baseball and wants to write about the game, please email us at mlbreports@gmail.com. We will be selecting three more kid writers for our website this year.
By Jason Alpert-Wisnia (AKA “JAWS”): (MLB Reports Kids Writer – visit his website here )
The Miami Marlins are a semi-new team compared to other teams such as the Red Sox, debuting as a team in the season of 1993 as the Florida Marlins. They won two championships in that time, yet tore down the team right after.
In 2012, the team moved to Marlins Park with a boatload of new players and I say, after that, it was only a matter of the, before the team was headed for a downfall. The past was sure to repeat itself.
Florida Marlins Story on 1997 and 2003:
San Diego Padres: How Will They Fare Without Chase Headley?
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Tuesday April 2, 2013
Chase Headley actually fared well at Petco Park in 2012 – with a 3 Slash Line of – .272/.357/.812. He added 13 HRs and 51 RBI. He could potentially hit a few more out with the fences drawn in.
Bernie Olshansky (Baseball Writer): Follow @BernieOlshansky
2013 was going to be a rough year for the San Diego Padres even before they got the news that their highest powered offensive weapon would miss a significant amount of time. Chase Headley was the only spark in the weak Padres lineup in 2012, hitting 31 HR and driving in 115 runs. A performance like this could not get the Padres out of second-to-last place in the NL West, so I am afraid to see how the Padres will fare after they start 2013 without their third baseman.
This year, the West is stronger as Zack Greinke has been added to the Dodgers most notably, the Diamondbacks have improved their team, and the Giants are the defending World Champions, having extended the reigning NL MVP. The Rockies also have power-hitting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki back in the lineup after missing most of last season due to injury.
If the Padres were going to contend this season, they would need to get off to a hot enough start to keep up with the rest of the teams. Without Chase Headley, I do not see how that is possible. Even with Headley it would be a very tough task. The Padres have not made any notable additions, so it looks like it will be more of the same in San Diego.
Headley Highlights _ Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is Advised
Trust In Cash: Vernon Wells And Getting Through Early 2013
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Our own Chuck Booth predicted that Mr. Wells could be wearing pinstripes this season and lo and behold, Chuck was right. Now, to see if Wells can bridge the gap for the Yankees until Curtis Granderson returns.
By Nicholas Rossoletti (Yankees + Trade Correspondent) Follow @NRoss56
There have been few moments as divisive for Yankees fans over the past year than last weekend’s trade for Vernon Wells. While I will get to the trade analysis of the Wells deal, I find it incredibly interesting the conversations and general disdain Yankee fans are currently showing for the management team in the Bronx.
The Yankee universe took to social media after the announcement of the trade. A large contingent were calling for Brian Cashman’s job, which I’m sure is not anything unusual for the General Manager of the Yankees. It did get me thinking about where the team is coming into the season.
Vernon Wells Highlights – Parental Guidance is Advised:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 1, 2013
It is opening day!
The Red Sox are in first!
The Astros look great!
And MLB is currently owned by Bryce Harper.
Those topics and more on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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All-Star Studded Injury Report + Chipper Jones Retirement Effect On The Braves
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Follow @mlbreportsMonday, April 1/2013
Chipper had a lifetime slash line of .303/.401/.529 with 2726 Hits and 468 HRs. He played the game the way it was supposed to be played, with class and all out effort.
By Ryan Dana (MLB Reports Writer): Follow @ryandana1
The start of the 2013 Major League Baseball season is upon us. While that is beyond awesome, unfortunately there is a list of really good players who will likely not start the season playing for a Major League team. Most of these players are out due to injury, but there are also a few others I would like to mention that are out due to retirement, suspension, or the fact that they have still yet to sign with a team.
It will be a bittersweet Opening Day for the Atlanta Braves who will be without Chipper Jones this season. He spent his entire 19 years of Major League service time with the Braves, and after an MVP season in 1999, a 1995 World Series Championship, and 8 All-Star appearances, Chipper has decided to call it a career. Jones was one of, if not the best, switch hitter of all time.
Chipper Jones Highlights
Marlins Make the Wrong Choice in Promoting Jose Fernandez
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Monday, April 1, 2013
Just two years ago, Jose Fernandez was pitching for Alonso HS in Tampa, Florida.
By Sam Evans (Baseball Writer): Follow @RJA206
Jose Fernandez is one of the top ten prospects in all of baseball for a variety of reasons. He has a fastball that can touch 98 MPH and a nasty curveball that will baffle hitters at any level. This weekend, the Miami Marlins promoted to their starting rotation after he continued to impress their front office in Spring Training. Having never played above High-A, Fernandez will suddenly be forced into the spotlight in the N.L. East. While it may seem that the Marlins are making the right choice in bringing him up because of how awful and unexciting their team will be in 2013, the reality is the Marlins are making a massive mistake.
Marlins-Jose Fernandez talks Spring Training 2013:
Why The Houston Astros Can beat The Texas Rangers On Opening Night
From Chuck Booth: Lee White sent this to me on late Saturday Night – no joke. I am still on vacation and watching the Dodgers Season Opener today (Cain vs Kershaw), but attest to this.
The Houston Astros will take the diamond at 7:10 local time to square off against the Texas Rangers. Everyone is looking past the Astros, and for good reason. The Astros have lost 213 games over the past two season, but are looking for a change of fortune in 2013. It won’t be easy for ex cellar dweller of the NL Central. The Astros are now in a tougher division, but can still improve on the field of play. But forget all that. It is Opening Night!
Baseball is back, and the games finally mean something again. Everyone has a fresh clean slate, and are looking to improve on their past seasons. Forget what teams did what last year, that doesn’t matter anymore.
When the Astros play the Rangers tonight, I fully believe the Astros may be able to surprise some people. They have arguably the best pitcher (at home) that you can have taking the mound in Bud Norris.
Last season Norris was terrible, unless he was pitching at home. My ‘Stros Bro and I, Richard Perez, had a bit of a debate about Bud pitching Opening Night instead of Lucas Harrell, and there is no way around what Norris can do at home. Last season at home, he went 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA.
He came extremely close to setting a franchise record for ERA at home last year. How can you not pitch him for Opening Night? Especially since, you know, it is at Minute Maid Park. I predict that manger Bo Porter may stretch Norris out a bit in his first start and let him go seven innings. If he can make it that far, he’ll go seven innings and give up one run and help propel the Astros to victory.
Another reason I think the Astros can beat the Rangers on Opening Night is because they’re facing Matt Harrison. Harrison was a pretty good pitcher for the Rangers last season, I’m not trying to belittle what he can do.
But, he has never pitched well against the Astros. In fact, in four outings, two starts, he is 0-1 with a 5.04 ERA against the boys from Houston. Harrison isn’t exactly a veteran either. So he has been facing the rebuilding Houston Astros, especially as a starter.
One more reason why I think the Astros can win. Here it is: Offense. The Astros haven’t had it the past few years, but with the addition of Chris Carter, and a little from Carlos Pena, they will get some offense. Yes, they will also strike out a ton, but tomorrow night against the Rangers, I believe we may see a few long balls from the Astros.
Houston will have the little hit machine, Jose Altuve, leading off with Brett Wallace following, and then probably Chris Carter in the three hole. Carter will probably be the Astros biggest bat in the lineup, so Brett Wallace will see his fare share of pitches. Especially if Altuve is on base. The Rangers will try to make Brett Wallace earn his way on base, and Wallace can run into a baseball. He is no slouch.
I’m not predicting a blowout, but I may be one of the few people who actually believe the Astros can win tonight against the Rangers. They will need to put it all together though. Pitching will be the main key as Bud Norris will need to shut the Rangers potent lineup down if the Astros want to have a chance to shock the baseball world on Opening Night.
Lee White
MLB Reports 
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