No much suspense http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-nick-markakis-jersey , but one mild surprise."ns Houston Astros NewsGame ThreadsHouston Astros Minor LeaguesAstros Game DayPodcastsAstros Announce the Opening Day RosterNew,53commentsNo much suspense, but one mild surprise.CDTShareTweetShareShareAstros Announce the Opening Day RosterSteve Mitchell-USA TODAY SportsThe Astros announced their 25 man roster yesterday, but for twenty four of the twenty five positions there was no suspense. The only decision that wasn’t already foregone was for the last spot in the bullpen for lefty reliever. Although he had an excellent Spring, going 9.2 innings with 13 strikeouts, a 1.86 ERA, and a 0.86 WHIP, the Astros optioned hard-throwing 27 year old Reymin Guduan, and chose 25 year old Framber Valdez to stay with the team.Valdez had been under consideration as the fifth starter, a slot he lost to Brad Peacock, and his overall performance was not as good as Guduan’s, sporting a 3.52 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with only 9 strikeouts and 5 BB’s in 15.1 innings.Perhaps what put Valdez over the top were his 6 scoreless innings this week with no walks. Control has been the cause of the greatest doubt about Valdez, and as the Spring progressed he seemed to sharpen his command. That, and his suitability for the role of long-relief, a role none of the other bullpens arms are conditioned for at this time.This is the 25-man roster that will open the season this Thursday.Infield: 1B Yuli Gurriel, 2B Jose Altuve, 3B Alex Bregman, SS Carlos Correa, Utility Aledmys Diaz, DH/1B Tyler WhiteOutfield: Josh Reddick, George Springer, Michael Brantley http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-nick-markakis-jersey , Tony Kemp, Jake MarisnickStarting Rotation: Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Collin McHugh, Wade Miley, Brad PeacockBullpen: Roberto Osuna, Ryan Pressly, Will Harris, Chris Devenski, Josh James, (rookie) Hector Rondon, Framber Valdez (rookie)Catcher: Robinson Chirinos, Max StassiExpect this roster to be even more flexible than in years past.First, with a schedule in April with a day off each week, the Astros decided to go with 12 pitchers, not their usual custom. If they go to 13 pitchers, one of the following will have to go: Tony Kemp, Jake Marisnick, Tyler White or Aledmys Diaz. Kemp and White have no more options, and would have to pass through waivers if sent to the minors, not likely for either player.Marisnick has one more option, but by May will have enough service time where he can refuse an option. Diaz has options Mike Foltynewicz Jersey , but is the main utility man for flexibility off the benchSecond, Top 10 prospect Kyle Tucker should be ready soon, and it’s hard to keep a boy like that on the farm. And don’t forget Derek Fisher and Myles Straw, both of whom were quietly great this Spring.Third, the best pitching prospect in baseball by overwhelming consensus, Forrest Whitley, is coming to a Minute Maid Park near you and soon. Not far behind is J.B Bukauskas and others in a farm system embarrassingly deep in pitching talent. Veteran reliever Joe Smith should be recovered from his Achilles injury by July.Am I crazy to think that if the Astros used their top 5 Minor league pitchers, their rotation would be better than that of quite a few teams in MLB right now?Bring on the season.Go Stros where is the future we were promised? and other bullets"So, for the first time since 1965, the Cubs faced the Red Sox in Arizona. A good time was had by all. Another game takes place this afternoon, and then Opening Day is Thursday. I’m ready for the real games to begin, and will be at the ballpark in spirit.Rick Porcello just about lost his head. Talk about traveling light! Good thing his coconut isn’t hollow. Didn’t hurt his arm any, though. I wonder what the air speed of that ball was? I was half-expecting it to go over the fence.Would that be a ground-rule double or a homer? Inquiring minds wanna know.Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).Jesse Rogers (ESPN*): How Theo Epstein has changed from Boston to Chicago. “ ... he knows himself better. He knows how to be a leader, and he knows what he’s looking for in people around him,” said Jed Hoyer.Bruce Miles (Daily Herald {$}): Cubs: Dynamic of Cubs coaching staff has changed. “For his part, Joe Maddon seems to be embracing the latest changes.”Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): With no last-minute acquisitions anticipated, Cubs’ opening roster all but set. “It’s still possible the Cubs will add a player from a waiver claim or trade to fill an opening on the roster, but (president Theo) Epstein said the likelihood is ‘‘pretty high’’ those who will make up the final mix are already in-house.”(Chicago Tribune* {$}): ‘October really starts in March’: Epstein reinforces Cubs’ sense of urgency with latest moves. “ ... every game really counts, and we like the way it feels when we go out and show what we can do and play good baseball.”Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Attention will be paid: Inside the Cubs’ detail-laden plan to get their edge back. “It’s hard to define playing with “an edge” and a “sense of urgency,” but you know it when you see it.”Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs take old-school approach with rotation. “Chicago is heading into the 2019 campaign with http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-nick-markakis-jersey , arguably, the most traditional rotation in baseball.”Steve Greenberg (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs 2019 preview: Why Kyle Hendricks can’t stop talking to himself. “If being boringly excellent is wrong, the Cubs don’t want Hendricks ever to be right.”Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs leader Jon Lester on Ian Happ’s demotion: ‘I feel this will do him a lot of good’. “ ... right now he’s in compete mode like, ‘Hey, you just hit me in the mouth.’”Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Addison Russell’s work in Arizona is far from over as Cubs teammates wrap up spring training. “Theo Epstein has not guaranteed that Russell will return, merely re-emphasizing the steps Russell must complete to show he has become a better citizen.”Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider): More vocal Kris Bryant feels like ‘he can say things’.“I like to sit back and listen, but when I have something to say, I’m going to say it.”Rick Morrissey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Here’s hoping Albert Almora Jr. grabs Cubs’ center-field job and doesn’t let go. “They’re at their best defensively when he’s in center field.”Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Mark Zagunis on breaking camp with Cubs: ‘I get chills just thinking about it’. ‘‘I worked really hard and just hope I make the Opening Day roster,’’ he said. Mark Gonzales has more.Phil Thompson (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Wrigley Field expands food, beer options: beer-can chicken, Impossible burger, disco fries and more. As reported on the front page, and then some. Eater Chicago piles it on.Cubs birthdays: Jack McCarthy, Jimmy Lavender, Jose Vizcaino, Jason Maxwell, Jason Dubois, Rob Zastryzny.Food for thought:Thanks for reading.