Astros lineup 8/19 vs. Giants. First pitch 7:05 p.m. CT

Pepper…definitely valid points and they do not need to monitor position players as closely as pitchers. Jordan Lyles won’t pitch more than 175 innings this year, combined with his AAA innings pitched. For the young position players they’ve brought up, they will make sure that these guys pace themselves, as they’re about to play more games than ever before. Altuve played 64 games in ’07, 40 in ’08, 66 in ’09 and 125 last year. He’s played 114 games so far this year. I know Major Leaguers make this game look easy, but there is a huge difference between nine innings of a Minor League game and nine innings of a Major League game. Same thing goes for Winter Ball.

I am in no way suggesting that they’re going to be shut down at any point of the season but you will see them get a day off here and there, more often than the veteran players. Minor League seasons are over early Sept. and the big league season goes a full month longer. That’s a lot of baseball, innings, travel, etc. During my recent Minor League tour, I asked the players what the biggest adjustment to pro ball is. They ALL said — getting used to the schedule and how many more games they’re playing now than when they were rookies. Gotta watch out for fatigue. They’re still developing physically. Hope that makes sense!