So the Astros scratched Andy Pettitte from a start (not good news, and does Phil Garner really expect Pettitte to be 100% for our 2nd game?) and replaced him with Tim Redding, who promptly gave up 1 hit, 1 walk, and 2 HBP's and had 6 K's in 4 innings. Before you get too excited, 4 of those strikeouts were called, and Redding himself said the umpire was being "generous" against lefties. Redding does still have the most talent of any of our 5th starter options, but all things equal, I'd like us to look to trade him after a good showing like this. Brandon Duckworth has also pitched fairly well (6.2 IP, 2 BB, 7 K, 4.05 ERA), so we might have a 5th starter or trade bait.

Andy, I'm not that mad that Biggio is PLAYING 2nd base this spring - I'm mad that he's STARTING at 2nd base. Biggio is going to make the team no matter what, and we know about what to expect. Chris Burke needs all the playing time against major leaguers that he can get, but he's coming off the bench every day. That's what I don't like.