At the risk of sounding like a certain Apple-whoring Brit, I’ve got a technology story to tell. A friend sent me a Spotify invite about a month ago, and it’s been a huge part of my life ever since. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Spotify is a music streaming service, popular overseas and just recently available Stateside. Everything is on Spotify. Everything. No indie band is too obscure, no B-side too rare. And the way I’ve been using it reminds me of this year’s Astros.
No one can listen to every good thing out there. We’re finite beings. But that’s not going to stop people from trying. I’ve been taking advantage of the depth and ease of Spotify to catch up. Bands and artists I’ve known for years that I should be familiar with, or that I would just love if I took the time to listen are all there for the clicking. So I’ve been taking advantage. Like the rookies on the current Astros roster, I’ve found some winners and some AAAA players. And also like the Astros, these initial impressions could be completely wrong. Chris Johnson could end up a better player than Jimmy Parades. I could change my mind about the excruciating qualities of Neil Young’s voice or my newfound love of Jawbreaker.
I have a sticky note on my desk at work with the names of bands that have popped into my head periodically over the past week. I’m planning on looking them all up soon. New Order. Husker Du. The Birthday Party. Eric B.& Rakim. I’m enjoying the journey, being the rookie learning from these veterans. Hopefully it’ll make my appreciation of the music I already love deeper, and opening some surprising new avenues.
This roster is far from a world beater. It’s hard to make the case that even with every player at their full potential you’d have a shot at the NL Central title. But there are some very talented kids out there on the final week of the season. They’re worth a spin.
Thursday, September 22nd
7:05 CT, MMPUS
Henry Sosa v. Alex White
I predict a 9-6 Astros win. MIND TAKER!
Friday, September 23rd
7:05 CT, MMPUS
Drew Promeranz (1-0, 1.69) v. Brett Myers (6-13, 4.39)
A rookie. Shit. On the upside, his name sounds like a small dog.
Brett’s been pretty decent lately. Unfortuantely, the Rox hit .385 off him as a team, and he’s literally never gotten Jason Giambi out. 2011 Giambi, even. Yikes.
Saturday, September 24th
6:05 CT, MMPUS
Jason Hammel (7-13, 4.85) v. J.A. Happ (6-15, 5.48)
Despite his shitty numbers this year, Hammel has our number pretty well. Schafer and Quintero hit .333. If they both bat about 9 times, we should be okay. Math!
Happ has been a lot better since his return from OKC exile. Carlos Gonzalez, the erstwhile Piggy Wigginton, something called Seth Smith and Kevin Karamazov, er Kouzmanoff all hit him pretty well, though. However, only one RBI against him from the whole team. So there’s that.
Sunday, September 25th
1:05 CT, MMPUS
Jhoulys Chacin (11-13, 3.66) v. Lucas Harrell (0-1, 2.00)
I can only assume that Mr. Chacin’s name is pronounced like “Julius”, but sweet mother of mercy, that’s awkward. As punishment for a shitty name, he gets hit to the tune of .421 by the Mud and Blood. Bogusevic and Q have hit him particularly well, including a homer for Q.
Meanwhile, the normally-named Harrell looks like a randomly generated baseball player from a mid-00’s video game. Mark Ellis is 1-3 against him, Kouzamanoff is 0-fer in five AB’s, and no one else has seen him. Hopefully they catch Astros Rookie Pitcher Syndrome (ARPS) against him.
Prrrromotions!
Okay, first off, I’ve never been able to find the clip that inspires me to add extra R’s to Promotions in every preview, but since I’ve already included one Birdman clip, I might as well post this. It’s my favorite Colbert performance of all time. No exceptions.
Friday:
50th Anniversary Cap
Fireworks
COLLEGE NIGHT! WHOOOOOOOOO!
Saturday:
50th Anniversary Blanket (noticing a theme yet?)
Oktoberfest (with cheaper beer? you wish!)
Sunday:
50th Anniversary T-shirt
Fan Appreciation (I’m going to this game, and I’m liking my odds of winning one of the giveaways, since there should only be 10 other fans there)
Kids Run the Bases!
Injuries
Astros
The usual suspects, plus Norris and Michaels, neither of whom will be seen again this year. Michaels, maybe not again period.
Rockies
Holy shit, it’s like half their roster: