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Breaking down the Astros’ locks, probables and bubble guys
There has been — and it will continue for the next few weeks — much speculation about the Astros’ 25-man roster and just who will break camp with the big club when new manager A.J. Hinch leads his first Texas team onto the field next month. Is the roster better than 2014? Is it deeper in…
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Daydreaming about the Astros on the eve of spring games
So, the other day I’m walking along a beach in old Persia (I swear!) when I found this old oil lamp half-buried in the sand. After I dug it up, I tried to wipe the thing off — it had seaweed everywhere — and much to my surprise, out popped a Genie (Djinn for those…
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Quickie Thursday: It’s spring, everything is new
Full workouts are underway and the Astros play their first spring game next week. Here are a few questions to whet your appetite for the season. Your answers and reasons may differ from mine, so let’s hear your thoughts on what with gather your attention when you turn on the TV, radio or reach for…
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What they said, what they meant: Spring training edition
When baseball people talk, it is generally good practice to take it with a grain of salt. In early spring training, when every player arrives “in the best shape of my life” or when every player that struggled the year before “went back to their pitching (hitting) guru from high school (college, early minors) and figured…
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Looking ahead to Astros 2015: The Bench is Johnny on the Spot
It’s simple math. You take 12. That’s the number of pitchers on the 25-man roster. Then you add 8. That’s how many positions are on the field other than pitcher. Add 1 DH, and finally you have 21. Then you subtract 21 from 25. 4: That’s is how many roster spots are left for the…
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What are they thinking? Astros face a myriad of decisions
Talk about the fast track. While the winter dragged on with minimal rumor after minimal rumor (until mid-January), players will begin to hit the ground running and things will start moving quickly now. Spring training games begin next week. Breaking camp is about a month away and games for real begin in about five weeks.…
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Free Blog Weekend: Is baseball’s silly season finally over?
Hey, I love a good trade rumor as much as the next guy. But, honestly, I’m ready for some baseball. Now that pitchers and catchers are settling into their Florida homes away from home, and position players are starting to trickle into the Sunshine State, I’m looking forward to some Grapefruit League games. That’s right.…
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Looking ahead to Astros 2015: The rotation
As pitchers stream into Kissimmee, it’s time to review the options for the rotation. Obviously, much has already been discussed, but here’s the time and place for you to register your official commentary, opinions and thoughts. What was perhaps the strongest part of the major league team in 2014 may be the one with the…
ALL THINGS ASTROS 