Other than JV as the SP pretty dead on to what I would expect opening day to look like.

Some waaaaaaaaay-too-early takes on our offensive guys entering the year with question marks:

-Very intrigued by Reddick and Fisher. Comments from each indicate that they want to put their "try to pull every pitch 500 feet" strategies from 2018 in the rear view mirror. Reddick saying he wants to go the other way more. Fisher says he's focusing less on technical stuff, launch angles, etc. Both are off to very very nice starts this spring. Hope that continues.

-I think Tucker needed a spectacular spring to get on the opening day 25 and it's not happening thus far. 5/18, 1 double, 0 HR, 0 BB, 5 K.

-Obviously Alvarez has no shot to make the opening day 25 but he might be ready sooner than we think. 18 plate appearances with more BB (5) than K (3). Not much power with it yet though.

-Kemp continues to get on base with absurd regularity...563 OBP in 15 plate appearances so far. Doesn't seem like Jake or White have done anything to lose their spots on the 25.

-How much longer will AJ Reed occupy a spot on the 40? 1/17 this spring with 1 HR, 1 BB and 8 K.

-Stassi hasn't done much to make us forget about his abysmal offense performance from June forward last year. 3 singles in 18 AB with 1 BB and 7 K. Luckily Chirinos seems to be doing fine. If we're not already in the market for a backup catcher (Maldy or a trade), I suspect Stubbs will get a shot early in the season.

Uh oh Charlie

Better than them hitting him. Seems like he is avoiding contact pretty well

Jon Heyman said:

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Astros understandably like their team but they're said still in touch with Dallas Keuchel, who received 3 calls the day Harper got done. Phillies are also in and could solidify their favorite status by importing star lefty, tho with prospects coming they're preferring short term.

Justin Verlander is a free agent for 1st time after year and while "I plan to pitch into my mid 40s," he also said, "I don't need to sign a 5-year deal." JV, 35, is OK going shorter and betting on himself, as long as value is right; he's "cognizant" of potential effect on market.

Verlander, who's pitched 14 years in the much tougher (for a pitcher) AL, joked, "I've been waiting all these years to go to the NL, and (now) they're going to put it the DH in!"

Verlander said generally of free agency that just because the 2 guys at the very top of the market hit home runs that doesn't mean there's nothing wrong. (There are still 30 plus big league free agents unemployed.) He says the issue is that too many teams aren't trying to win.

Verlander hasn't ruled out staying with the Astros, if they show interest. "I haven't shut the door good team, good guys," he said. At this stage, he said that's as important as anything.

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With how well Kemp gets on base I wonder if he should be our DH?

Would like to see Tucker get more at bats, tho.

Deluxe said:

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Didn't include any White analysis for the same reason I didn't include any Bregman or Altuve analysis. He's a lock. Sure thing. Expecting .900 ops / 30-35 HR from White this year.

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When did the Stros move into a slow pitch softball league?

Deluxe posted above that he's 5/18 with 1 Double and 5 Ks.

Astros spring training stats:

http://m.astros.mlb.com/stats/?season=2019&stat_type=hitting&game_type=S&sort_column=ab&player_pool=ALL

Prediction: The sum of Bregman and Altuve's OBPs this year will be over .800

Did I miss any comments about AB being taken out over back stiffness and wont be playing today...

Going to Stros/Yankees April 9

Tickets for the home opener are stupid expensive. I decided on an April Saturday against the Indians to avoid the "dynamic pricing"

WES2006AG said:

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Tickets for the home opener are stupid expensive. I decided on an April Saturday against the Indians to avoid the "dynamic pricing"

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Tickets for all the games are stupid expensive. I saw tickets in the 400's priced at over $40 each for the Memorial Day Weekend stand against the Red Sox. A couple of weeks later and I was still seeing tickets in the same 400 sections for close to the same price. I'm not financially compromised, but over $160 for a family of 4 to sit in the nosebleeds is ridiculous.

zgood10 said:

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Going to Stros/Yankees April 9

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I'm up in the DC metro area and decided to go see the Astros at Yankee stadium in June. First time ever taking in a game in New York, so looking forward to it.

Here's to hoping one year they play at the Nat's or Philly's stadium so I can get the majority of the NE coast stadiums under my belt.

Not a big deal, but I did like checking the thread for "has the lineup posted". Will be an official time now I guess.

DVC2010 said:

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. . . said:

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"General left side soreness."

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*searches "general left side soreness" on WebMD*

I think it means that he'll have his left side amputated. But, he'll be back after the ASB.

mwm said:

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I think it means that he'll have his left side amputated. But, he'll go on the 10 day DL but won't be back after the ASB.

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You forgot the most important part