Game 49: Houston Astros @ Minnesota Twins

First Pitch: 12:10 PM. Vegas odds: -135 HOU / MIN +125

Weather: Clear Skies, Start Temp 69°

TV: MLBN (Out Of Market Only.) Radio: Long-Time Crazy Listener Is First Time Crazy Caller

Opponent's SB site: The Crawfish Boxes

It's Hector Santiago to the rescue. If that doesn't lift your spirits, consider Mejia and Gibson would be next. Hitters have been teeing off on Santiago his last few outings (lefties especially), so let's hope that improves.

The Astros called up David Paulino for a spot start today, as scheduled starter Joe Musgrove went on the DL. (That's three starters on the DL for Houston, and they KEEP winning.) Paulino throws a mid-90s fastball and big, slow curve. Like most young players (he's had injury problems in the minors), the key for him is throwing the fastball for strikes, as the curve's hittable when players sit on it.

Paulino doesn't have any stats worth sharing (a few innings in Houston last year), so instead we'll trot out David Mitchell on "living in the moment." Which has some interesting things to say about the rollercoaster ride of sports fandom:

No Mauer, no Sano. Gimenez batting seventh. Good luck, lads.