EVERY-THING SPORTS
The case for fanaticism and vigilance from Astros fans
May 27, 2021, 3:49 pm
The Astros have been punished by Major League Baseball for their sign stealing scandal. The fines, loss of draft picks, and scarlet letter led owner Jim Crane to fire then manager A.J. Hinch and then general manger Jeff Luhnow on the same day, literally within hours of the league announcing their findings and sanctions. Mind you, this was in the offseason between the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Yet opposing teams, and especially their fan bases, have continued to give the Astros the business regarding the scandal and its fallout.
There have been trash cans, banging on trash cans, cheater memes/signs/paraphernalia, amongst other things used to try to distract this team and tease its fans. Shirts, hats, and signs with various forms of referencing the scandal. There were even inflatable and actual trash cans being thrown onto the fields. There's been enough crap thrown at the Astros and their fans! It's time to fight back dammit!
Ever since the 2017 World Series win, and especially after the scandal, I wear Astros gear every chance I get! When I know I'm going to be around fans of opposing teams, it makes me want to wear my gear even more. When I rejoined the dating scene and was encouraged to make online profiles on dating apps, I made sure to have pics of me in Astros gear. Any woman I'm going to get involved with on any level is going to realize I'm an Astros fan and will have to accept that. I've taken a "bleep you" approach when it comes to my Astros fandom. Like it or love it, you'll have to respect it.
Photo via: Jermaine Every
Astros fans need to do the same thing. Instead of being polite, respectful, and friendly, lean into the dark side! Embrace the hate! Let it fuel your interactions with other fan bases! When they start to boo your team and make signs about the scandal, point at them and laugh, then ask where their rings are. The Dodgers won a ring last year in a pandemic shortened season. The Yankees and Red Sox were also found to have cheated, but MLB has shielded them and other teams from punishment by hiding evidence. If you're waiting to see that infamous Yankees letter, you'll likely die a thousand deaths before we see even a redacted form of it.
Did other teams cheat? Hell yeah they did! Did they get punished like the Astros did? Bleep no! MLB couldn't have any of their flagship franchises in hot water. Has sign stealing been around a long time? Yes, since the beginning of the sport itself! Should we give a damn that opposing teams and fan bases continue to hold a grudge and make jokes? Bleep no! Lean into it and let them know we don't give a damn!
I wrote an article published on February 13, 2020 about the Astros embracing their heel turn. This time, I'm not only calling for the team to embrace this, but it's time for the fans to do so as well. Don't be jerks to opposing fans, but don't be overly hospitable if they show signs of being dickweeds. Boo their best players. Cheer their mistakes. Don't go as far as cheering injuries, but definitely push the envelope. Most of all, have fun, but do so safely. Rooting for your team isn't worth losing your freedom or life. Lean into being the bad guy. It may be the last shot you get because this team may not be this good for long.
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Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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