:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63209392/usa_today_11439647.0.jpg)
Yesterday these Cardinals took the Astros 6-3. But there were encouraging signs, as Gerrit Cole kept his pre-season scoreless streak alive, Chris Devenski, after a terrible first game, had his second straight successful Spring Training outing, and Forrest Whitley struck out 6 in three innings. He did give up his second home run of the Spring, this time to Matt Carpenter, but he made slugger Paul Goldschmidt look silly, striking him out twice.
On the down side, Will Harris, recovering from a post season injury, continued his Spring woes, giving up 3 earned runs while getting only one out.
Today Collin McHugh starts, with some anticipation, because he is the ostensible third pitcher in the revamped Astros rotation, and because he missed his last scheduled start due to back discomfort.
With McHugh starting, as well as most of the front line position players, today’s Astros lineup looks like one you could see on any typical day in the regular season. See below.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/15949918/astrostwitter.jpg)
One interesting wrinkle. New utility man Aledmys Diaz gets a start in left field, a position he has rarely played but one often occupied by the man he replaced, Marwin Gonzalez.
Radio: KBME 790 AM
TV: MLBN (out of market only) I think you can see this one on a Cardinals feed if you are subscribed to MLB TV.