I’d tandem the rotation with a 6 man bullpen. That way there’s always a backup on hand in case somebody’s test gets in the way. Verlander/Abreu Greinke/Javier McCullers/Bielak James/Sneed Valdez/Bailey Bullpen: Biagini, Taylor, Paredes, and Devenski in low leverage, Osuna and Pressly in high leverage.
Per Noroeste, a newspaper in Mexico, Urquidy is having to fulfill test requirements to return to the Astros, but does not have COVID-19. May be back tomorrow at the earliest.
Spoiler 1. Projections: FanGraphs projects the Astros to finish 35-25 during the 60-game season — the second-best record in baseball — with a 77.5 percent chance to make the playoffs. A 35-win season amounts to a 94-win pace in a 162-game slate. 2. Four thought: If the Astros win the American League West for the fourth year in a row, they’d claim four consecutive division titles the first time in franchise history. 8. Sense of urgency: Patience favors no one in a 60-game season, so fast starts and hot streaks will be magnified. Consistency will also be rewarded. The 2019 Astros were 40-20 after the first 60 games, 39-21 from games 31-90, 38-22 from games 61-120 and 42-18 from games 101-160. 25. The Dusty road: Dusty Baker requires 137 wins to reach 2,000 — a feat only 11 other managers have achieved. He wouldn’t have gotten there in a traditional 2020 season, but 1,900 can be reached if the Astros win 37 games. Just 13 other skippers can claim 1,900-win careers. 26. Drive for five: If the Astros make it to October, Baker will become the first manager in major league history to guide five franchises to the playoffs. The Giants, Cubs, Reds and Nationals reached the postseason under his guidance. 27. Back for more? Baker’s contract is guaranteed for only the 2020 season, but it includes a club option for 2021. This year’s unprecedented circumstances suggest the Astros could retain Baker regardless of the 2020 results — meaning he could be within reach of 2,000 wins once the 2021 season starts. 28. Innings eater: Justin Verlander will pitch his 3,000th career inning, becoming the only active pitcher to reach the milestone. Verlander enters the season just 18 innings away from this latest goal on a long list he intends to achieve. 29. Strikeout surge: Verlander already leads active pitchers with 3,006 strikeouts. He needs 111 during the 2020 season to pass Bob Gibson for 14th all-time. Assuming he starts every fifth day, Verlander could make 12 regular-season starts in 2020. Last year, he struck out 118 during a 12-start streak from June 12-Aug. 16. 33. Greinke getting there: With 47 strikeouts, Zack Greinke would pass David Cone (2,668) for 25th place all-time. Greinke won’t join Verlander with 3,000 innings this year — he needs 128 — but should secure the feat in 2021, his final year under Astros team control. 34. Familiar foes: Greinke will face his previous division, the National League West, in interleague play and see two of his former teams — the Diamondbacks and Dodgers — at their home ballparks. Greinke had a 2.90 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 146 innings against the NL West last season. 42. Vesting Pressly: All-Star setup man Ryan Pressly is under club control for 2020 and 2021. He has a $10 million option for 2022 that vests if he pitches in 60 games during both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. With this season’s number now prorated, Pressly must appear in 23 games for the option to have a chance to vest. 44. Mr. August/September: En route to his runner-up finish in AL MVP voting, Alex Bregman owned those two months in 2019, hitting .372 with 15 homers, 21 doubles and 49 RBIs in the season’s final 51 games. His OPS was 1.235 in August, 1.239 in September/October. 45. Altuve’s march: Jose Altuve is more than halfway to 3,000 hits — a pace this shortened 60-game season will stall. He needs 82 knocks for 1,650, which would get him past Lance Berkman (1,648) for fifth in franchise history. 46. Flirting with .400? If any Astro is capable of hitting .400 in a shortened season, it is Altuve, the three-time batting champion with a .315 career average. His greatest 60-game stretch arrived during his MVP season in 2017 when, from May 27-Aug. 8, he slashed .420/.474/.645 and collected 103 hits in 245 at-bats. 47. Fast start: George Springer was the leading AL Most Valuable Player candidate after his first 48 games last season, slashing .308/.389/.643 in 216 plate appearances. A similar start during this 60-game sprint could be crucial. 48. Seven for Springer: With seven home runs, Springer will pass Cesar Cedeno (163) and Glenn Davis (166) for fifth in Astros franchise history. Springer required only 21 games to get to seven homers last season. 49. Leading off: Springer set single-season club records for leadoff home runs in 2017 (nine) and 2019 (12). Last season, he fell one leadoff dinger shy of tying Alfonso Soriano’s major league record. 50. Mr. Consistent: The last four times he has played a full season, Michael Brantley has finished among the American League’s top five in batting average. He was fourth in 2019 (.311), fifth in 2018 (.309), fourth in 2015 (.310) and third in 2014 (.327). 51. 6-for-6? Carlos Correa is the first shortstop in major league history to hit 15 or more home runs in each of his first five seasons. He struck 21 in 75 games last year, offering hope he can extend his record-setting streak to six. 52. Finally healthy? Beset by a number of befuddling injuries for the last three years, Correa could finally finish an entire season. He has missed 50 or more games in each of the last three seasons and hasn’t played more than 110 since 2016. 53. Piña pop: Yuli Gurriel established a number of career highs last season (31 home runs, 104 RBIs, .343 on-base percentage, .541 slugging percentage), utilizing a more open batting stance he’ll carry over into 2020. 54. They like contact: Brantley (8.7 at-bats per K), Gurriel (8.7) and Josh Reddick (7.6) all were among the majors’ eight toughest players to strike out in 2019. 60. Last looks? After the season, free agency looms for Springer, Brantley and Reddick — the Astros’ entire starting outfield — along with Gurriel and Peacock.
Astros rotation for Opening Series vs Mariners: Fri- Justin Verlander Sat- Lance McCullers, Jr. Sun- Zack Greinke Mon- Josh James Dusty Baker says there is a chance the Astros open the season without Austin Pruitt, Brad Peacock and Roberto Osuna. He said Osuna is not hurt, team is just trying to prevent injury since he arrived to camp late. Dusty Baker said Roberto Osuna is not hurt and that he came to camp late "by no fault of his own." Baker again lauded Osuna's work ethic, saying the team "has to stop him from getting hurt" because he wants to ramp up so quickly Dusty Baker said Austin Pruitt (elbow inflammation) is "ahead" of Brad Peacock (shoulder soreness) but neither will be ready for opening day. Because there's an 80-percent chance of rain Monday, Dusty Baker said the team will decide in the morning if it's going to Kansas City. If the weather is bad, they would just stay home and work in Houston.
Not exactly. Diaz said Alvarez said he doing fine which likely either means asymptomatic, having a testing issue, or a visa issue.
Spoiler Catchers (3): Martín Maldonado, Dustin Garneau, Garrett Stubbs Satellite roster/taxi squad options: Jamie Ritchie, Colton Shaver, Michael Papierski Initially, I thought Stubbs was a lock to be carried as a third catcher on the active roster. But upon further consideration of the taxi squad rules, I’m not nearly as confident in that prediction. Teams can bring as many as three non-30-man roster players on road trips as a taxi squad. But if they bring three, one must be a catcher. That same catcher can also stay with the team during home games to work as an additional bullpen catcher. Basically, the Astros can have Stubbs around at all times without putting him on their 30-man roster until they actually need him. If Alvarez were available, I might’ve omitted Stubbs. But Alvarez’s absence plus a lack of available candidates to be a 11th or 12th reliever increases the odds the Astros include Stubbs on the active roster early in the season. The Astros could split the back-up duties between Garneau and Stubbs for as long as they carry both. Stubbs is also really fast for a catcher and could provide value as a pinch runner if Myles Straw is already in the game. Stubbs has dabbled in the corner outfield positions and at second base, but if the Astros shouldn’t need any help at those positions this year. If Stubbs makes the roster for the first two weeks or the first month, Ritchie could be the taxi squad catcher early in the season. Ritchie is not on the 40-man roster, but the Astros wouldn’t have to add him unless they need him to play in an actual game. Infielders (7): Yuli Gurriel, José Altuve, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, Aledmys Díaz, Abraham Toro, Taylor Jones Satellite roster/taxi squad options: Jack Mayfield, Nick Tanielu, Alex De Goti Díaz can back-up at Gurriel at first — or start at first on the occasions the Astros use Gurriel as the designated hitter — and also be the top reserve option at second base and third base. The switch-hitting Toro is ideal for pinch-hitting situations, especially against right-handers because he’s better from the left side. I included Jones only because the Astros lack the number available arms on the 40-man roster to carry 11 relievers, and Jones can add value as a right-handed pinch-hitting option until their roster is closer to full strength. Jones, a first baseman by trade, has also played some left field in the minors. Ultimately, there shouldn’t be much playing time in the infield for anyone not named Gurriel, Altuve, Bregman, Correa or Díaz. But an expanded bench would make it easier for Baker to pinch-hit more frequently, be it for any of the catchers or for Josh Reddick against a lefty. Outfielders (5): George Springer, Michael Brantley, Josh Reddick, Kyle Tucker, Myles Straw Satellite roster/taxi squad options: Chas McCormick, Drew Ferguson, Ronnie Dawson, Jake Meyers Rehabbers: Yordan Alvarez (undisclosed) That Alvarez hadn’t reported as of Sunday ensures that the Astros will begin the regular season without him. When he’s ready and available, the 2019 AL Rookie of the Year Award winner will assume his spot as their regular DH and an occasional left fielder. It’s still unclear as to how Baker will divide the playing time between Reddick and Tucker, but he has suggested he’ll be inclined to give the veteran Reddick the first chance at the starting job. Otherwise — and again, barring injuries or illnesses — this group is set. Straw will follow in Jake Marisnick’s footsteps as the fourth outfielder/late-game defensive replacement/pinch-runner, though Straw can also dabble as a middle infielder, if needed. Depth is an issue at this position group, though Díaz could make cameos in left field. None of the outfielders assigned to train at the alternate site are on the 40-man roster. Starting pitchers (5): Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, Lance McCullers Jr., Josh James, Framber Valdez Satellite roster/taxi squad options: Forrest Whitley, Brett Conine, Luis Garcia Rehabbers: José Urquidy (undisclosed) The first four are set, and Urquidy’s absence combined with Pruitt’s injury makes Valdez the heavy frontrunner for the No. 5 spot. Urquidy figures to become a candidate to join the rotation once he’s available and ready, but it’s unclear when that will be. Depth is also a potential problem here, especially for as long as Urquidy and Pruitt are out. Bryan Abreu, Cristian Javier and Brandon Bielak (not on the 40-man roster) represent their next in line, and I have each making the Opening Day bullpen. What about Whitley, long considered to be the team’s best prospect? He’s looked better in the small sample of summer camp than he did in spring training, but let’s not forget he went backward last season. His struggles in Triple A and his alarmingly high walk totals across the board in 2019 can’t be dismissed merely because of prospect hype. He’s unlikely to make the Opening Day roster but could debut during the season if he shows improved command through his work with the satellite roster. Relievers (10): Roberto Osuna, Ryan Pressly, Chris Devenski, Bryan Abreu, Cy Sneed, Joe Biagini, Cristian Javier, Brandon Bielak, Blake Taylor, Enoli Paredes Satellite roster/taxi squad options: Brandon Bailey, Andre Scrubb, Nivaldo Rodriguez, Jojanse Torres Rehabbers: Brad Peacock (shoulder), Austin Pruitt (elbow), Rogelio Armenteros (elbow), Cionel Pérez (undisclosed), Ralph Garza (undisclosed), Shawn Dubin (undisclosed) There’s some doubt as to whether Osuna will be ready for Friday’s opener. The Astros have maintained that Osuna isn’t hurt but merely behind in his readiness. The closer was a late arrival to camp by “no fault of his own,” Baker said, and while he’s progressed to throwing long toss he hasn’t pitched in any of the intrasquad games. Still, the Astros will need Osuna to throw only one-inning stints early in the season. If he’s not ready to do that on Friday but they think he might be not long after, they could opt to carry him on the active roster in the interim instead of placing him on the 10-day Injured List. Even if Osuna is ready for Opening Day, the Astros’ lack of bullpen depth already seems problematic. Devenski, one of the last relievers in their bullpen hierarchy last season, might be their seventh-inning man, and Abreu, a prospect, could play a prominent role from the season’s onset. Sneed and Biagini will likely be needed to pitch important innings instead of strictly in mop-up duty. Who will the Astros call on to face Mike Trout or Anthony Rendon in the sixth or seventh inning of games in which the starter didn’t pitch deep? At this point, it’s a mystery. Peacock and Pruitt figure to assume relatively important roles once they are ready, but it’s unclear when that will be. Bielak would need to be added to the 40-man roster to make the team, but the Astros have a couple open spots and Bielak will be up for Rule 5 Draft protection in the offseason anyway. Ideally, I think the Astros should start with an 11-man bullpen and one fewer bench bat. But to get to 11 available 40-man roster relievers, they would need to add another pitcher to the 40-man roster in addition to Bielak. (Rodriguez is on the 40-man roster, but he hasn’t pitched above High A and appeared in his first intrasquad game of camp on only Sunday.) Spoiler Other than MLB being shut down, what would prevent the team you cover from winning the AL West in 2020? Weaver: I’m also going to rule out injuries, since that’s an evergreen danger. Other potential pitfalls might look like: another disappointing season for Odor. A return to Minnesota-era Lance Lynn. Corey Kluber being washed, even after a year and a half of rest. Joey Gallo assuming his final form as a centaur and being banned by the league. Alien invasion and the subsequent intergalactic war. Murder hornets. Poisoned rain. A giant fish name Dennis climbs out of the sea and proclaims himself the new ruler of Texas, and humans (predictably) take the bait — half the state inexplicably starts waving “DENNIS 2020” flags and calling themselves “Dennisens” of Texas but the other half of the state wants to drag Dennis back into the sea because state legislature isn’t crystal clear on how to deal with 200-foot-tall tuna overlords and also he just seems shady, like he probably is hiding something, we just haven’t had reporters embedded in the sea to report on his past dealings, so we just don’t know what we’re getting ourselves into with Dennis. Also on the list of possibilities: the Angels, Astros or Athletics just play up to their full potential.
https://www.wunderground.com/hourly/us/mo/kansas-city The rain not due to arrive until 10:00pm. If that holds true then a complete game should be possible.
So reading between the lines, updated prediction for opening day: C (3): Maldonado, Garneau, Stubbs IF (6): Altuve, Bregman, Correa, Gurriel, Diaz, Toro OF (5): Springer, Brantley, Tucker, Reddick, Straw SP (5): Verlander, McCullers, Greinke, James, Valdez RP (11): Javier, Biagini, Abreu, Devenski, Paredes, Scrubb, Torres, Sneed, Taylor, Osuna, Pressly Noted that Biagini and Javier aren’t on the squad going to KC, so not sure what’s going on there. Starting with Peacock, Pruitt, Urquidy, Armenteros, Perez, and Smith unavailable is over 1/3 of the pitching staff that probably would have made the opening day roster otherwise. My guess at the taxi squad would be Ritchie, Mayfield, and Bielak. I for one am very optimistic about the young bullpen depth. All those guys have the stuff to succeed. If I am looking for something to be worried about, it’s the very top of the talent pool; bad starts or even non-major injuries to any of the core 4 (Altuve, Correa, Bregman, Springer) or aces (Verlander, Greinke) could be devastating.
Not sure on Biagini, but Javier pitched 5 innings yesterday. I'm hoping Javier is the 5th starter. Not sure if he's ready. Valdez had what appears to be some bad homer luck, which may make me more down on him than I should be.
