Houston Astros: Analyzing The 2016 Opening Day Lineup
By Yoni Pollak
The Houston Astros open up their season today against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. If you check your schedule, they were supposed to play yesterday, but for some strange reason this stadium doesn’t have a roof. Alas, the Astros were rained out and will make it up today in 30+ degree weather.
Many fans and writers have been trying to figure out what today’s lineup would look like. The Astros face a righty in Masahiro Tanaka today. Here’s how A.J. Hinch filled out his lineup card.
Here’s your #AstrosOpeningDay lineup against the Yankees. Keuchel on the hill, first pitch at 12:05 PM CT. pic.twitter.com/K5nUgAs81W
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 5, 2016
With Evan Gattis starting the season on the DL, many expected the first five batters to be Altuve, Springer, Correa, Rasmus and Gomez. It was the last four that would be interesting, particularly the 6-8 spots.
Valbuena gets the start in the six hole. The third basemen is 3-for-9 with two doubles against Tanaka in his career. Tucker, who I figured would bat 6th, is batting seventh. He’s yet to face Tanaka in his career.
The only noticeable surprise today is Marwin Gonzalez starting in place of Tyler White. White earned the starting gig during the spring, but it appears as if A.J. Hinch prefers the switch-hitting MarGo on Opening Day. White figures to see the majority of playing time at first base, but the veteran Gonzalez earns the start today. He hit .268 with a .701 OPS against righties last season.
Castro will be in the ninth hole and he hopes to rebound off back-to-back miserable seasons at the plate, which saw him hit .222 and .211 respectively. However, he’s had a hot spring (.342 in 38 at-bats) and is in a contract year, so there’s a glimmer of hope he can turn it around this season.
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