The New York Mets were indeed snowed out on Monday, so the New York debut of Gabe Kapler’s Bullpen Follies has to wait until tonight.
Instead, I watched the Houston Astros beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 in their home opener. Before the game, the Astros unveiled their 2017 World Series Championship banner (with the help of a leafblower.)
I found it interesting that while the Astros have won seven division championships and three wild card berths, it looked like they only have two banners on display – their 2005 National League pennant and the 2017 World Series one. I think I like the “keeping to essentials” approach.
The Astros are a fun team to watch. Charlie Morton may be the best number five starter in baseball, but as good as their pitching is their hitters are better. At this stage, everyone knows about Jose Altuve… but George Springer is every bit as exciting. Alex Bregman impressed me with his hitting and defense and Marwin Gonzalez impressed with his versatility.
I could easily see the Astros successfully defending their World Series title.
Other odds & ends:
- The Texas Rangers selected Bartolo Colon’s contract and sent him out to start against the Oakland Athletics Monday night. Colon, the Majors’ oldest player this year, held the Athletics to one run through six innings.
- Sporting News contributor Nick Stellini wrote about the effects of expanding Major League bullpens on the entertainment (or lack thereof) that they provide
- Uni-Watch’s Phil Hecken took a look at the throwback uniforms the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays wore this weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their first games.
PaulHadsall.com 