The Astros' spring training schedule in Florida wraps up today with a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, and then the team returns to Houston to play a weekend series against the Detroit Tigers before Opening Day on Monday in San Diego.
The weekend's festivities will include the annual Fan Fest, which will feature autograph sessions, a baseball card & memorabilia show, and a bunch of opportunities to get up close and personal with the stadium and the team. You might not be able to vent your opinions on the Miguel Tejada trade to Drayton McLane in person, but you could at least score some autographs and take some photos.
The Tigers games should be interesting, as the boys from Detroit retooled significantly this offseason, adding former Marlins slugger Miguel Cabrera among others. The Friday game may also be your final chance to see Woody Williams pitch, if you're into that sort of thing. After a disastrous spring performance, Woody's status with the team is very much undecided. He'll either be the fifth starter (sending Chris Sampson to Round Rock or the bullpen) or gone in some fashion.
Once the Astros decide on their fifth starter this weekend, their Opening Day roster will be pretty much set. There's one "extra" spot currently available since 2B Kaz Matsui will start the season on the disabled list while he recovers from (deep breath) anal fissures. It looks like catcher Humberto Quinterio will occupy the roster spot until Matsui can sit down again, at which point he could be traded, or another player shuffled.
If you're as excited about the start of the 2008 baseball season as we are, you'll be down at the park this weekend. Regardless of the pitching, the Astros are definitely going to score a boatload of runs this year. Plenty of souvenirs, if you have Crawford Box seats. C'mon: at least try to look on the bright side.
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photo: flickr user sulla55
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