With the start of spring training in full motion teams gather to begin the preparation for Opening Day later in March, but with the news of the cheating scandal created by the Astros a new common rival has been created.

Many MLB players have already voiced their concern and even disgust for what the Astros did and the aftermath (https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2020/02/13/astros-fumbling-apology-tour-was-no-accident/) that came with it. 

Within the first three games of the spring training, six Astros players have already been pegged their first at-bats. Aledmys Diaz who hadn’t even been on the Astros team back in 2017 had been hit just four pitches into the first game. Jorge Guzman had been hit later that same game with a 95mph pitch versing the Miami Marlins. The latest and biggest player to be hit was Alex Bregman two days ago. 

A big concern for the Astros is the amount of backlash that will ensue in each series of the season, as it should be. Hitting players, crowds booing batters it's all been a part of the game to voice the disagreement. Players and fans have agreed that lacking sympathy was their strategy when facing any game against the Astros.

It is not an easy thing having to face the consequences especially when the whole nation is watching. Cheating violates the integrity of the game and the unfair punishment that was handed to the players has gotten to the players in opposing teams. 

Many MLB fans have distance themselves from being associated with the Astros, the embarrassment that will continue to follow the Astros is punishment enough. For now, it seems to be looking like a long season for MLB and even longer for Houston.