Uh...why? Spring Training was probably perfect for them. A smattering of people probably not really paying attention. They should be good to go in terms of what the stadium is going to be like. If he really wanted to prepare them for the "crowds" he should have played every game on the road.
Opening Day against the Rangers will have a good crowd, even if there are as many Rangers fans as Astros fans.
Hence the reason behind me saying they should have played all the ST games on the road. Even many home games will be closer to road games.
Who says the fake crowd noise won't provide that? All the guys on the team have played in front of crowds similar to what is in ST. A lot of them have never seen opening day, where the crowd will be as energized as they will see this season. Yeah, it is probably pointless, but can't hurt.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Porter names Brad Peacock <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Houston">#Houston</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' No. 4 starter. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/317271207441485824">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Josh Fields, Ambriz, Cruz make Astros.</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/317271501785149440">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Houston">#Houston</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' 2013 opening-day starting rotation: R Bud Norris, R Lucas Harrell, R Philip Humber, R Brad Peacock, L Erik Bedard. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/317274352838127616">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' Porter said Peacock's final run -- two ER in 16 innings -- caught club's eye. Continued to improve during each start. Crisp pitches</p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/317275891170439169">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Here is the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a>' depth chart heading into the season. What say you? <a href="http://t.co/FIvM6lZNno" title="http://houston.astros.mlb.com/team/depth_chart/index.jsp?c_id=hou">houston.astros.mlb.com/team/depth_cha…</a></p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/317305501341847552">March 28, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros): #Houston #Astros GM Jeff Luhnow says organization to use tandem starting pitching at all minor-league levels #MLB http://t.co/83FQbiimNV
2 Homeruns for Singleton off Anibal Sanchez in the game vs. Tigers Starting Squad!! Both he and Springer are 2-2 and Humber is pitching another stellar performance. I really wish Singleton wouldn't have gotten busted and suspended. He would have most likely come close to making the team and been a mid season call up...Oh well, guess we'll get to really gauge if the improvements Wallace has made pay off. GO ASTROS!
Ronny Cedeno has 5 errors this Spring, including 2 today. He is 30 years old. His career OBP is under .300. Why did we sign him to start?
Same response as where this reference appears in another thread, but what about the relievers? When do they pitch if starters are eating up all the innings?
While sadly true, I'd rather see Marwin out there starting games. Rather be young and suck than be old and suck. BTW, Astros loaded the bases and went pop-up/strikeout/fly out, sound familiar?
I think that's part of the point. They want their minor league innings to go to starting pitching prospects rather than minor league middle relievers. Relievers will be used to "bridge" gaps between the starters and to close games.
Preston Tucker has drawn 3 walks against the Braves today. As today is a split-squad day, the Astros brought a few minor leaguers along to Disney World. In addition to Tucker, Jesse Wierzbicki, Enrique Hernandez, Jio Mier, Nolan Fontana, and Michael Burgess have made appearances. Luis Cruz just finished 2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out 2. He struck out Dan Uggla in the 7th and Chris Johnson in the 8th.
They loaded the bases at Disney World.... and Preston Tucker lined into a double play to end it. 2-0 Barves
Not sure why they signed him to start, but they did need to sign him to add to their list of Cedenos. Sadly, they missed out on Domingo, but have had all of the others. Cesar Roger Andujar Ronny Xavier
