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Welcome back to another edition of the Crawfish Boil!
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Tag’s Tweets
A.J. Hinch announces Justin Verlander has as the team's Opening Day starter while on TV today.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Astros manager A.J. Hinch discusses naming Verlander the Opening Day starter. pic.twitter.com/xK8Kd6HJUn
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Hinch said he and Gurriel and "routine texters now."
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
"He's texting me in English and I'm texting him back in Spanish. It's a very interesting conversation."
Following today, McCullers will pitch at the Mets on Sunday, and McHugh and Morton will pitch in a "camp game" in WPB.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Hinch said Hector Rondon will "probably pitch over the weekend." His only appearance in a game was Feb. 26.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Dallas Keuchel makes his first start of the spring today. He's supposed to go three innings. McCullers will throw three innings in relief.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Cameron Maybin, who was on the field when the Astros won the World Series, was struck out by Keuchel with the bases loaded to end the first inning. Keuchel threw 28 pitches in the first.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Keuchel's pitch count is up to 43 here in the second, so he's likely done after this inning.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
In fact, Keuchel won't finish the second. Hinch pulling him with two outs after 45 pitches. Chris Devenski is on.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Heading back? What? https://t.co/EfVCIRrauG
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Kyle Tucker made back-to-back sliding catches in RF to end the 2nd. Not really difficult plays, but not easy either.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Between 1991 and 2009, either Jeff Bagwell or Lance Berkman started at 1B for the Astros on Opening Day. Since then:
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
2010: Blum
2011: Wallace
2012: Lee
2013: Wallace
2014: Guzman
2015: Carter
2016: Gonzalez
2017: Gurriel
J.D. Davis, starting at 1B today, struck out swinging to start the second and struck out looking with bases loaded in third.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Jack Mayfield, who had an RBI double in his previous AB, just cranked a leadoff homer in fourth.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Video:
Keuchel on Verlander starting Opening Day: "I guess I'll let J.V. have Opening Day," he joked. pic.twitter.com/3xo2ZMXqDr
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Justin Verlander said Hinch told him today he would be announcing the Opening Day starter: "It's an honor, especially on this team," he said.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
More Verlander: "I wasn't expecting it or hand't really thought about it, to be honest with you, but it's always an honor to have your name called. Obviously for this org. what Dallas has done & bringing in Cole, that's three guys that have started Opening Days. Pretty special."
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
McCullers threw 53 pitches in 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed one hit, walked two and struck out two. Hit one batter.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
AJ Reed just cranked his first HR of the spring, straight down the RF line.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Video:
This will be Verlander's 10th Opening Day start in the past 11 years. Verlander started on Opening Day for the Tigers from 2008-14 and 2016-17
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
Yuli Gurriel returned to camp today and went through a light workout.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2018
"I'll be back fast," Gurriel told https://t.co/mDPUQE6013https://t.co/pJQ288Wu17
Astros News
Justin Verlander, not Dallas Keuchel, to start Opening Day for Astros
Given his choice of a franchise stalwart who suffered through the worst of times, or a recent import who pushed the Houston Astros over the top to a championship, manager A.J. Hinch opted for the latter when choosing his opening-day starter.
As Astros’ Hector Rondon slows down, doubts grow
The Chron, ever-sensational, lays a headline out that sounds an awful lot like “having kittens” with almost a month of spring training left.
Painting captures the Astros’ World Series celebration
The Houston Astros went from losing 111 games in 2013 to becoming World Series champions last year, capturing the first title in the franchise’s history.
The moment the Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series has been captured by Major League Baseball-sanctioned artist Opie Otterstad in a painting that is part of a collection of pieces commemorating the championship.
Astros Place Anthony Gose On Outright Waivers
The Astros have placed lefty Anthony Gose on outright waivers, per Jake Kaplan of The Athletic (Twitter link). That will ultimately open a 40-man spot, though it’s not clear whether the organization has immediate plans for utilizing it.
Around The League
Baseball’s Connection to M*A*S*H
You are damned right I am linking an article about baseball’s current through the best TV show of all time first in this section. Ichiro can wait.
Source: Mariners agree to deal with Ichiro
Future Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki is back with the Mariners - and, more importantly, in the Major Leagues - where he belongs.
Saxon: DeJong’s extension is a reasonable gamble for the Cardinals
Paul DeJong was a utility player in college (Illinois State) and played mostly third base in the minor leagues, but when the Cardinals elected to demote Díaz in the middle of his offensive tailspin, DeJong came up and played surprisingly adequate shortstop. Now, the Cardinals have rewarded him with a contract extension. (Paywall article from The Athletic, subscription recommended strongly)
No nonsense, no frills Tim Lincecum appears motivated for an MLB renaissance
Lincecum is motivated for a comeback, but what is driving him?
So You Want to Have a Good Bullpen
Jeff Sullivan, good as always, writing about bullpens at FanGraphs.
Latest On Indians’ Rotation Plans
The Indians entered the offseason with enviable depth in their pitching staff, particularly among rotation hopefuls. While that led some to wonder whether trades might be considered, to this point the Cleveland organization has not shipped away pitching.
The Lack Of A Market For Neil Walker Doesn’t Make Sense
At this point, there’s little point in expounding upon what an odd offseason it’s been for Major League free agents.
Will King Felix Reach Cooperstown?
Pretty straightforward title.
At Tigers’ tryout camp, players chase dream
From ex-big leaguers to bucket-list participants, all grateful for chance.
With a new grip on his curve, even Kyle Hendricks can’t contain his excitement
Excitement isn’t really the first word that comes to mind when talking about Kyle Hendricks. There’s no bluster with him. If he tells you he’s excited, then there’s a good reason for that. And right now, Kyle Hendricks is definitely excited. (Paywall article from The Athletic, subscription recommended strongly)
Ranking the fastest teams in MLB
Statcast’s Sprint Speed metric allows us to rank projected lineups
The business side of baseball has always intrigued Phillies right-hander Mark Leiter Jr.
It goes beyond growing up in a baseball family, learning from his former big-league pitching father Mark and uncle Al. He loves the sport and believes it’s important to be invested in its future and his career. (Paywall article from The Athletic, subscription recommended strongly)
How GMs Talk Amongst Themselves
A pretty interesting piece.
Nationals send 2017 first-round pick home for violating team rules
Seth Romero was kicked off his collegiate team at U of H last year, too. Guy can’t seem to get it together.