Can't Stop The Feeling!
So my pivot to referencing the main song from Trolls, sung by none other than Justin Timberlake may seem like a bit of a stretch. However, you'll be up out of your seats dancing soon enough!
Today, the Houston Astros did a pair of split squad games. One took place at home against the New York Mets. The other took place on the road against the Miami Marlins. Justin Verlander made his spring debut in the home game, striking out four batters across two innings of work. Not too shabby, I must say! Because of that, plus home runs from J.D. Davis, Max Stassi and top prospect, Kyle Tucker, the home squad was able to squeeze out an 8-7 victory over the visiting Mets.
While that was the good news, there was also some not so good news. The traveling squad did not fair as well, losing to the Miami Marlins on the road 11-0. A shutout wasn't exactly what us fans were hoping for. Having dazzled onlookers so far in Spring Training, Francis Martes gave up 3 runs on 3 hits in just over an inning of work. The relievers didn't help much either in surrendering another 8 runs to the opposing team. Sadly, both Will Harris and James Hoyt gave up the majority of them, 3 and 4 respectively.
Even though the road squad got shut out, there was some breaths of hope with the bat. Derek Fisher, catching prospect Lorenzo Quintana and minor league third baseman Randy Cesar all came up with hits today. Tyler White and Jake Marisnick also got on base by drawing a pair of walks in the game. But the big news of the away game was that your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis came up with his first hit of the spring. It was an opposite field line drive that former teammate, Cameron Maybin, could not come up with, allowing for the bear to advance his pathway to second base.
Now, it is true that El Oso Blanco still only has a .167 BA and a .619 OPS so far this spring. However, when you consider that he ended last season's spring training with a .214 average, there is more than enough time to make up ground. In fact, some close to him that I have spoken with have said that Gatty likes to take a "pacing yourself" approach to Grapefruit League. I don't know about you, readers, but I happen to think that is a fantastic approach. How else can you explain him being so much more disciplined as a hitter overall?
The answer is that there is no other explanation. This will be Gattis' sixth season as a major leaguer. He's a seasoned veteran and overall clubhouse presence. Among all of these young stars, the bear will be a foundation for them, as well as the rest of the roster, which is why I still fully believe that he will be re-signed next winter. I may be wrong, and will gladly admit to it if I am. However, so many recent happenings with his salary arbitration and interviews with folks like Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle lead me to believe that he is slowly, but surely, becoming a cornerstone player for this Astros ball club.
Try as the CDH (critics, doubters, haters) might, they just can't stop the feeling!
Today, the Houston Astros did a pair of split squad games. One took place at home against the New York Mets. The other took place on the road against the Miami Marlins. Justin Verlander made his spring debut in the home game, striking out four batters across two innings of work. Not too shabby, I must say! Because of that, plus home runs from J.D. Davis, Max Stassi and top prospect, Kyle Tucker, the home squad was able to squeeze out an 8-7 victory over the visiting Mets.
While that was the good news, there was also some not so good news. The traveling squad did not fair as well, losing to the Miami Marlins on the road 11-0. A shutout wasn't exactly what us fans were hoping for. Having dazzled onlookers so far in Spring Training, Francis Martes gave up 3 runs on 3 hits in just over an inning of work. The relievers didn't help much either in surrendering another 8 runs to the opposing team. Sadly, both Will Harris and James Hoyt gave up the majority of them, 3 and 4 respectively.
Even though the road squad got shut out, there was some breaths of hope with the bat. Derek Fisher, catching prospect Lorenzo Quintana and minor league third baseman Randy Cesar all came up with hits today. Tyler White and Jake Marisnick also got on base by drawing a pair of walks in the game. But the big news of the away game was that your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis came up with his first hit of the spring. It was an opposite field line drive that former teammate, Cameron Maybin, could not come up with, allowing for the bear to advance his pathway to second base.
Now, it is true that El Oso Blanco still only has a .167 BA and a .619 OPS so far this spring. However, when you consider that he ended last season's spring training with a .214 average, there is more than enough time to make up ground. In fact, some close to him that I have spoken with have said that Gatty likes to take a "pacing yourself" approach to Grapefruit League. I don't know about you, readers, but I happen to think that is a fantastic approach. How else can you explain him being so much more disciplined as a hitter overall?
The answer is that there is no other explanation. This will be Gattis' sixth season as a major leaguer. He's a seasoned veteran and overall clubhouse presence. Among all of these young stars, the bear will be a foundation for them, as well as the rest of the roster, which is why I still fully believe that he will be re-signed next winter. I may be wrong, and will gladly admit to it if I am. However, so many recent happenings with his salary arbitration and interviews with folks like Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle lead me to believe that he is slowly, but surely, becoming a cornerstone player for this Astros ball club.
Try as the CDH (critics, doubters, haters) might, they just can't stop the feeling!
Original Photo Credit: The Houston Astros on Twitter
They've got that sunshine in their pockets, and the good soles in their feet!!!!
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