Start your morning with some of the best Astros links around"Astros N

ewsAlex Bregman took batting practice for the second straight day http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-max-muncy-jersey , but is bored with the slow process of his recovery (Houston Chronicle)He’s not just on the road to recovery but also to becoming the face of baseball (House of Houston)Speaking of batting practice, let’s go into the cage with Carlos Correa (MLB Video)Who might have a few things to think about in light of Machado’s big payday (Houston Sportsmap)Josh James’ and Tyler White’s stocks have been rising, but who is more likely to breakout this season? (Climbing Tal’s Hill)They’re just one part of the team though, which has a laser-like focus on their goals this season (Texas Sports Nation)Which looks like it will include a platoon at the catcher position for 2019 (Astros.com)Hinch and Crane agree that pace of play has become a concern in baseball (Texas Sports Nation)The Astros have set their starting rotation for upcoming Spring Training games (Houston Chronicle)Now seems like a good time to project payroll for the Astros (MLB Trade Rumors)Maybe that’ll include you if you qualify for one of these three R&D positions open for the team (Baseball Prospectus)And if it pays well enough you can afford one of these sweet fauxback jerseys that the Express will be wearing this season (Twitter)Around the LeagueWell, yesterday almost featured the first exhibition game of Spring until Mother Nature got in the way (Houston Chronicle)Good on Machado for getting his big contract, and I’m sure Harper will get his as well, but Mike Trout is better (FanGraphs)Kershaw got a day off after a discouraging start to his Spring (MLB.com)It looks like the Twins are kicking the tires on Marwin Gonzalez (MLB Trade Rumors)The Cubs scoff (scoff I tell you!) at the formula having them under .500 and last place in the division this year (ESPN)Baseball scouts are among the unintended victims of the analytics movement (The Athletic, $$$)This is a great story about how Roberte Clemente helped a young Manny Sanguillen fit into MLB (La Vida Baseball)Famed Boston Globe baseball columnist Nick Cafardo has passed away at 62 (The Boston Globe) sometimes I just sits, don’t make Kyle Schwarber mad Kenley Jansen Jersey , and other bullets"It turns out that baseball is a couple of generations older than commercial sliced bread, so I humbly submit to you that sliced bread is the greatest thing since baseball. Morning baseball also makes me stop loafing much earlier, especially if the Cubs are losing, as I’ll get up and start doing things and leave the game on in the background, but, no matter which way you slice it, eleven o’clock games are in the upper crust of experiences.That such games allow me to avoid doing any chores until 2 o’clock or so is just gravy to pour on the meatloaf and sop up with all of that bread. Of course the home plate umpire (and to be honest, the bullpen) denied our chance at meatloaf but I’m just gonna pretend that didn’t happen and exercise my own judgement.Ah yes, exercise... I’m in the best shape of my life — almost perfectly round http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-max-muncy-jersey , and ready to roll. Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. Everything is #narrative today. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Kyle Schwarber’s outburst and a fan’s faux pas distract from the Cubs’ real culprit — 7 bullpen walks in a 6-5 loss to the Angels. “Loved the fight,” manager Joe Maddon said. “I thought we came back. We just walked too many guys.” Also checking in: Brian Sandalow, Rick Tarsitano, Jordan Bastian, Bradford Doolittle, Paul Sullivan, Evan Altman.Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): How the Cubs look at their catching situation without Victor Caratini. “... for right now Enrique Hernandez Jersey , we’re really happy with Taylor Davis,” said Maddon.Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Day off for Kris Bryant might be a beneficial break. “... the respite was always part of the plan.” Tony Andracki concurs. Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): Ian Happ enlists the help of former big leaguer during trip back to the minors. “He wanted Chris Valaika, Chicago’s minor-league hitting coordinator, to join him with the Iowa Cubs.”Laura Messer (Cubs Insider): Will we see Jason Heyward surpass his career-best home run total? “Heyward is on pace for 44 home runs this year (hooray for small sample sizes)...”George Castle (Tribune/The Doings): Scott Sanderson remembered as ‘smart and unflappable’ by those who knew Glenbrook North grad before MLB career. “Sanderson was the first athlete who came up through local youth baseball ranks on his way to playing for the Cubs...”Cubs birthdays: Ben Tincup, Marty Keough, Greg Maddux (HoF), Kyle Farnsworth, Food for thought: