Astros Game One Lineup

Dexter Fowler (David Manning-USA TODAY Sports)

This is it. Baseball is back. Nolan Ryan will be getting the 2014 Houston Astros season started ceremonially, and then Scott Feldman will get the season started for real.

As opposed to last season when constant flux was in order regarding the Astros’ lineup, this season there will be a little more consistency. Aside from the platoon in right field, the starting nine appear to be pretty clear for Bo Porter in 2014. Well at least to start the season.

Porter took everyone by surprise a few days ago by announcing that Robbie Grossman would be batting second this season with Jose Altuve being moved down in the order. With left-hander C.C. Sabathia taking the hill for the New York Yankees, we will see one of Porter’s two initial lineups for this season.

Even though the season does not begin until Tuesday, Porter revealed his lineup on Sunday afternoon.

"1. Dexter Fowler CF2. Robbie Grossman LF3. Jose Altuve 2B4. Jason Castro C5. Jesus Guzman 1B6. Chris Carter DH7. Matt Dominguez 3B8. L.J. Hoes RF9. Jonathan Villar SS"

At this point, the lineup is what it is. That doesn’t mean we have to be happy with every move that was, or wasn’t made this off-season. It just means that baseball is back, and there are actual games to watch, or follow online or through the radio thanks to Comcast.

But regardless, the results matter.

For better or worse.