11:48 AM EDT, Fri March 29, 2024
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Astros Crawfish Boil: March 26, 2024

Jose Altuve | Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports It’s Sugar Land’s turn to host in tonight’s Astros—Space Cowboys tilt. It’s all over but the cryin’ Today is the final day of Spring Training for some teams, and for the Astros and their top minor league affiliate, a final exhibition. Houston Astros News Opening Day FAQ: Yankees vs. Astros Astros to reveal a new mural towards center field along Hall of Fame Alley (CW39) Astros fans react after losing against a minor league team at home (Sportskeeda) After HBP, Meyers returns to Astros’ lineup in...

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Reviewing The Astros’ Positional Rankings

Yordan Alvarez rounds the bases during a spring training game against the Marlins. | Photo by Rich Storry/ Thoughts on Fangraphs’ rankings for position players.... Why do so many experts expect the Astros to be among the American League’s best clubs again? To a significant extent, their favorable opinions are guided by the quality of the lineup. The everyday consistency on both offense and defense provides a high floor for the Astros’ win-loss projections. So, let’s spend a few minutes dissecting the Astros’ non-pitcher positional rankings produced by...

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Pre-Season Exhibition Game. March 26, 2024, 7:10 CT. Space Cowboys @ Astros

Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports It’s the last warmup before Opening Day Thursday against the Yankees J.P France gets a much-needed opportunity to stretch out after a late start to Spring Training. With Jose Urquidy and Justin Verlander out, France is definitely an important part of the rotation for the second straight year. Here are the lineups. This one is televised.

Pinstripe Alley

Yankees Making the Team Meter: Week Five

DJ LeMahieu’s injury adds a last-minute wrinkle to the Yankees’ Opening Day roster battles. It’s our final Monday in March, and you know what that means — it’s time for the finale of the 2024 Pinstripe Alley Making the Team Meter! The last two spring training games are being played later today, and in just three short days, the New York Yankees will be down in Houston to open the season against their current archrival, the Houston Astros. Over the last few days, the Yankees have made a flurry of moves, as the final roster has begun to take shape. Even so, due to a...

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Spring Training Game Thread Saturday March 23

Spring Training. | Photo by Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Astros vs. Mets Cristian Javier pitching today!

Pinstripe Alley

NYY vs. PHI/DET (split-squad)

Photo by Julio Aguilar/ The final weekend of spring training is upon us. We’re so close, Yankee fans. This time next week, the Yankees will hopefully be up 2-0 in their opening series with the Astros, and indeed they can go 2-0 today as they split up the spring roster for a pair of games with the Tigers and Phillies. The road game in Lakeland will see Cody Poteet look to cement his place on the big-league roster, as the righty has had a strong spring to this point. All spring stats need to be discounted of course, but he’s posted an ERA, strikeout rate and FIP all...

MASN: Mark Zuckerman

Split-squad lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals and Marlins

JUPITER, Fla. – The Nationals weren’t able to play Friday night due to persistent rain across the entire state of Florida. So they’ll try to play two today … even though neither is a makeup game against the Astros! See, the Nats already had a day-night, split-squad doubleheader scheduled. (Such great planning for the second-to-last day of spring training, huh?)It all gets started at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, where half of the team will face the Cardinals and Miles Mikolas for the third time in 12 days. The veteran right-hander didn’t give up much in those previous two matchups,...

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Spring Training Game Thread March 21, 2024, 12:05 CT. Astros @ Cardinals

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports J.P. France gets another warmup before the season starts

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Spring Training Game Thread. March 19, 2024, 5:05 CT. Marlins @ Astros

Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports Brandon Bielak hones his skills for an important role on the 2024 Astros Brandon Bielak gets his second start of the 2024 Spring season. Of course, with Jose Urquidy's latest injury leaving the Astros' rotation paper thin, Bielak suddenly becomes an important part of the Astros' pitching equation. From early returns, hopefully not too important. So far this Spring, in 7.1 IP, Bielak has a 7.36 ERA, a 1.64 WHIP, and a .276 BAA. Unfortunately, those numbers don’t seem unrealistic as long-term projections. Today, Bielak hopes to show otherwise...

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Astros Spring Training Week in Review.

Houston Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido (83) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals | Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports How are things shaping up? The Astros’ record is 10-13 going into the second of Monday’s Spring Training games. They were 2-6 for the week, but the situation isn’t as bleak as that sounds. First, the really bad news. Yet another pitcher is down. Jose Urquidy is out indefinitely with a forearm strain. That means, among potential Astros starters, Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, and now Urquidy will not be pitching when the...

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Spring Training Game(s) Thread. March 18, 2024. 12:05 CT, 5:05 CT

Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Two games today, Astros @ Miami at 12:05 and Nationals @ Astros at 5:05 (Televised). Here is the lineup for game one: Game 2 Astros lineup. (tentative)

Amazin Avenue

Open thread: Mets at Astros, 3/16/24

Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via The Mets play a road spring training game against the Astros this evening. Mets lineup lineup to follow Astros lineup lineup to follow Broadcast info Radio: Radio: KTRH 740 AM/99.1 FM HD-2 (Astros broadcast)

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Spring Training Game Thread. March 15, 2024. 5:05 Ct Astros @ Phillies

Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports Ronel Blanco goes for the Stros yet again this Spring hoping to keep his scoreless inning streak going and solidify his spot on the OD roster. The Astros lost to the Nats yesterday 5-3, the most significant development being the continued struggles of Brandon Beilak, who, without any more options, is in make-or-break status with the Stros this year. He gave up three runs in three innings and has a 7.36 ERA this Spring. Brain McTaggart reported that Jose Urquidy left a practice game with elbow issues. Here is the lineup and...

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Spring Training Game Thread. March 14, 2024, 5:05 CT. Astros @ Nationals

Houston Astros pitcher Luis Contreras (72) delivers a pitch during spring training at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. | Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Luis Contreras (Yes, he has pitched in the major leagues) goes for the Astros today. The Astros lost to the Mets 6-5 yesterday, but there was plenty of good news. First, Cristian Javier pitched four scoreless innings with four Ks and no walks. If he’s back to 2022 Javier, the Astros are probably on track for an improved record over 2023 in 2024. Jake Meyers was 2-3 and brought his Spring BA to .350. With Meyers, Mauricio...

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Spring Training Game Thread. March 13, 2024, 5:05 CT. Astros @ Mets

Photo by Rich Storry/ Cristian Javier against an old Astros nemesis, Luis Severino Yesterday’s 9-1 win over the Marlins had several storylines beyond the score. Hunter Brown went 3.2 innings surrendering only one run, although the five hits allowed are less assuring. Eight hits were shared by ostensible starters Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman, Chas McCormick, and Jeremy Pena. Mauricio Dubon remains red-hot with two doubles. His Spring OPS is 1.389. Backup? Parker Mushinski continues to make his case for the final spot in the bullpen with another scoreless...

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Spring Training Game Thread. March 12, 2024, 12:05 CT. Astros @ Marlins

Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports Hunter Brown gets the start today The Astros lost 5 - 3 yesterday to Detroit, but from a Spring Training perspective, it was a win. Framber Valdez looked like ace Framber yesterday after a shaky Spring start. He allowed one run in four innings with four Ks and no walks. He effectively showcased his new pitch, the change-up, which will give major league batters just one more thing to guess at defending against Framber’s already formidable arsenal of pitches. The Tigers won by scoring four runs off Misael Tamarez in the eighth inning. Tamarez...

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Astros Spring Training at the Mid-Point

Houston Astros outfielder Kenedy Corona (89) laughs during the spring training game between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies | Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Sometimes, just sometimes, these Spring Trends mean something. The Astros have completed sixteen games of their scheduled 32 this Spring in preparation for the regular season. Although every analysis of Spring Training must begin with the caveat “it’s only Spring Training,” small sample sizes, less than big-league competition, etc, still, Spring Training performances sometimes give...

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Astros Crawfish Boil: March 11, 2024

Mauricio Dubón | Photo by Rich Storry/ Welcome to the Monday Boil. Houston Astros News Dubón providing versatility, comic relief for Astros Astros’ 2024 Spring Training: Relative concerns (Chipalatta) 61-year-old Roger Clemens pitches in Savannah Bananas game (Arizona Sports) Dana Brown on adding Josh Hader in offseason Jose Altuve on deciding to remain in Houston AL West News A’s — Lawrence Butler primed for breakout season with A’s in 2024 Blarts — Texas Rangers claim Jose Barrero from Cincinnati Reds (Dayton Daily News) Halos — Angels non-roster...

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Spring Training Game Thread. March 11, 2024, 12:05 CT. Astros @ Tigers

Photo by Megan Briggs/ Framber Valdez gets his second Spring start A plausible regular season lineup today, with likely OD starter Framber Valdez hoping to redeem himself after a terrible first start of the Spring.

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Spring Training Game Thread. March 10, 2024, 12:05 CT. Astros @ Marlins

Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports Seth Martinez gets a start today On Thursday and Saturday, Astros starters got the bulk of playing time and responded vigorously, amassing 21 hits between them for the two games while leading the team to 15 runs combined. Yesterday’s 9-4 win over the Nats included homers by Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, and Kyle Tucker, as well as Alex Bregman's 3-3 day and a triple by Jeremy Pena. Jose Urquidy also had another good start and has an even 1.00 ERA for the Spring. Today’s lineup features players mostly on the fringe of the 26-man roster...

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Mar. 9, Spring Training Game Thread Astros vs. Nats

Picture from spring training facility,. | Photo by Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Urquidy Pitches for Astros

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Astros Crawfish Boil: March 8, 2024

Ronel Blanco | Photo by Megan Briggs/ Welcome to the weekend. Houston Astros News Javier works on slide step, timing in strong spring start Do we want to talk about Jeff Luhnow and “IT”? - I know it’s Friday, but check out some Tuesday Thoughts from Chipalatta. 4 Astros bold predictions as MLB spring training gets underway MLB Announces Several Astros Games to Air Exclusively on AppleTV Priorities, opportunities as Astros early pitching power rankings are revealed AL West News A’s — A’s working to add cooling system at proposed Las Vegas ballpark (NBC...

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Spring Training Game Thread. March 7 2024, 12:05 CT. Astros @ Cardinals

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports It’s a very likely second-game-of-the-season lineup today including today’s starter, Cristian Javier. Yesterday’s game was rained out. Below is today’s lineup. All are likely regular-season starters. Only Jake Meyers is having a good Spring so far, as the BA numbers will indicate. It's time to start getting your timing, boys. Very limited media access today.

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Astros Crawfish Boil

Chas McCormick | Photo by Megan Briggs/ Welcome to the Wednesday Boil. Houston Astros News Verlander (shoulder) needs time to build strength, will open season on IL Small-town guy Trey Cabbage dreaming big with Astros this spring (Houston Chronicle) Here’s how Astros next extension candidate might actually catch you by surprise (Sportsmap Houston) We have the depth’: Analyzing Astros’ rotation after JV injury Astros’ Alex Bregman could be at the center of uptick in Mets-Yankees free agency battles AL West News Blarts — Rangers spring training postcard: The...

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Spring Training Game Thread. March 5, 2024, 12:05 CT. Marlins @ Astros

Houston Astros center fielder Kenedy Corona (89) makes a lunging catch in foul territory against the New York Mets in the third inning at Clover Park.  | Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports Get a glimpse of the Opening Day Lineup today The Astros didn’t have a game yesterday, but they had some big performances in Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Mets. Jake Meyers has had an encouraging Spring with a 1.393 OPS and four doubles, including two on Sunday. Yainer Diaz homered, and Jose Urquidy kept his Spring ERA at 0.00 with three scoreless innings. Today Ronel Blanco hopes to keep...

30 Clubs in 30 Days: Brian McCann On Joining the 2017 Astros

On 30 Clubs in 30 Days, Brian McCann joins Al Leiter to discuss coming to the Houston Astros and his experience on catching the teams young staff so far in 2017 Spring Training. Follow the MLB Network through Spring Training to catch your favorite teams