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John Granato: Thoughts and prayers for those of you who don't share your thoughts and prayers

John Granato: Thoughts and prayers for those of you who don't share your thoughts and prayers
If Sister Jean says thoughts and prayers, she means it. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

(Warning: This may not be appropriate for a sports website because it has nothing to do with sports but oh well.)

I don’t want to seem ungrateful but I’m getting the feeling that "Thoughts and Prayers" is just a tad bit insincere or at the very least it’s losing some of its luster.

You see it everywhere now. Every tragic event or even mundane setback on Twitter or Facebook has a string of Thoughts and Prayers after it. No matter how big or small the incident, from a terrorist attack to a head cold we get T’s and P’s attached to everything.

Maybe you’ve never seen my shortened version T’s and P’s before. Not maybe. You haven’t seen it because I just made it up and I’m pretty sure it’ll take off because we as a society are so lazy that we’ll have to shorten even something as important as a condolence to someone who’s suffering because it’s what we do.  

Once -- just once -- I’d like to see someone get called out for their Thoughts and Prayers.

“Heading to Chicago. Mom’s not doing well.”

“Thoughts and Prayers”

“Wow, that was quick. Which ones did you say?”

“Which ones what?”

“Which prayers? Hail Mary? Our Father? A rosary? Did you say a rosary? Thank you so much.”

“I, uh, didn’t say a rosary. I asked God to watch over her.”

“Soooo, you didn’t really say a prayer. You more or less just made a request. Kinda chintzy wasn’t it? If you’re going to give thoughts and prayers it ought to be at least a Hail Mary. And by the way what thoughts did you attach to your request?

“Ummm.”

“Yeah. Thought so.”

You may be thinking that I’m being a bit of a jerk here. Someone who took the time to respond with a Thoughts and Prayers is at the very least sharing a kindness. I guess, but how many of those T’s and P’s are really sincere?

Raheel started a trend on our show. If you meet anyone in the military you have to say “Thanks for your service.” If you don’t, you don’t appreciate them or love your country.

Same goes for a tragic event. If everyone is responding on Twitter or Facebook with Thoughts and Prayers and you don’t, then you don’t care about that person or their suffering. You’re a bad person.

Honestly, how many people actually say a prayer and give more than a passing thought to that person who’s suffering, especially if it’s someone they’ve never met? Five percent? Ten percent? I’d have to say that’s the high end.

If Sister Jean gives me a Thoughts and Prayers I know she said a prayer. I just know it and I know it’s a good one, not just a fly-by. It had wings. God heard it and is giving it some thought himself.

If Raheel or Del give me a Thoughts and Prayers I’m not so sure. Matter of fact, I’m pretty sure it was the last thought they gave it and they immediately moved on to a shoe or college football website.

I’m not saying they’re bad people. They are, but not because of their insincere Thoughts and Prayers. They’re just following the crowd. If you don’t you’ll get roasted by Twitter and no one wants that heat.

I don’t want to be the Thoughts and Prayers police. I just want you to give it some thought yourself. The next time you throw a T’s and P’s at someone mean it. Give it your best shot or at the very least a Hail Mary. I’m just sayin’.












 

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Houston will have to lean on Altuve and Paredes with Peña on the IL. Composite Getty Image.

Fresh off their 50th win of the season, the Houston Astros begin a three-game series in Colorado on Tuesday night, looking to stay hot against a Rockies team still searching for answers.

Houston enters the matchup atop the AL West with a 50–34 record, having won seven of its last 10 games. Though the Astros haven’t been as sharp on the road — just 18–20 away from home — their pitching and power-hitting combo continues to give opponents fits. Isaac Paredes leads the team with 17 home runs, and when Houston clears the fences multiple times in a game, the results speak for themselves: an 18–5 record when hitting two or more homers.

Victor Caratini has quietly chipped in during this recent stretch, going 8-for-33 with three home runs and eight RBIs over the last 10 games, helping make up for some offensive inconsistency. Houston’s team batting average over that span sits at just .225.

Left-hander Colton Gordon takes the mound Tuesday, carrying a 3-1 record and 3.98 ERA into his ninth start of the year. He’ll face a Colorado offense that’s scuffled all season, particularly at home. The Rockies have managed just eight wins in 40 games at Coors Field and are riding a 2–8 skid. Rookie righty Chase Dollander (2-8, 6.06 ERA) gets the start for Colorado as he looks to slow down a Houston team that has found different ways to win.

While Hunter Goodman and Mickey Moniak have provided some spark for the Rockies at the plate, the team has been outscored by 26 runs over the past 10 games and owns one of the league’s worst pitching staffs, a troubling combo against an Astros club that doesn’t need many openings to take control.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. For Houston, it’s a chance to keep momentum rolling against the team with MLB’s worst record. For Colorado, it’s another test in a season full of them.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -173, Rockies +144; over/under is 11 1/2 runs

Astros news

Shay Whitcomb has been recalled from Sugar Land to take Pena's place on the roster.

Here's a preview of the Astros lineup for Game 1.

So what stands out? With Peña unavailable, manager Joe Espada is once again using Paredes to leadoff, followed by Jake Meyers in the two-spot. Caratini is hitting fifth and will serve as the DH. He's followed by Yainer Diaz and Christian Walker. Cooper Hummel will hit eighth and play left field, as Jose Altuve is playing second base. Mauricio Dubon will hit ninth and fill in for Peña at shortstop.


Image via: MLB.com/Screenshot.

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