Saying that he feels as good as he has in years, Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. breezed through one inning, throwing 12 pitches, in his first Grapefruit League start of the spring in the Astros’ 14-0 win over the Cardinals on Thursday night at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla.

McCullers was originally scheduled to throw one inning but told pitching coach Brent Strom he’d like to throw another after an efficient first. But after the Astros sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first and scored five runs against St. Louis, it was determined McCullers would finish his night of work in the bullpen.

McCullers said he was sitting at 94, 95 mph with his fastball and had good feel of his curveball and cutter. He didn’t throw any changeups, which became an effective pitch for him last year.

“I couldn’t be happier,” McCullers said. “My velocity, I couldn’t ask for anything more with the velocity where it’s at right now. Not that velocity is a huge indictor for me. It’s not like the biggest deal, in my opinion. I have other pitches I’m able to mix and match with that I don’t rely only on velocity, but it’s nice to see it. It means that everything body-wise and mechanics-wise, is timed up.

“I’m not reaching back and trying to get anything extra and it’s coming out at [94, 95]. My off-speed is really crisp right now. I didn’t get to throw any changeups today, but it was really good in the ‘pen. Just physically and mentally and where I’m at right now in camp, I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time coming to the ballpark. It’s been a treat. I’m happy with everything and looking forward to getting back in there in four or five more days.”

Straw hints there could be some bunts to come

Bunting has become frowned upon in baseball in recent years, but Myles Straw has the kind of streak-of-lightning speed in which bunting could be a huge weapon. Straw, who’s trying to win the starting center fielder job to replace George Springer, hit leadoff and went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored Thursday against the Cardinals.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said earlier in the week he’d like to see Straw put down some bunts, and the speedster said that remains a goal of his.

"I feel like I need to do it more,” he said. “I think we could see a couple of bunts this spring. Can’t let the opposition know. It’s definitely something I should work on, especially this time of year. I think you guys can expect a couple.”

As was the case on Thursday, infielders are crashing in at the corners when Straw comes up, which makes what he’s doing with the bat more exciting for the Astros. He’s driving the ball and is 4-for-6 so far this spring. He’s happy with his stroke, but thinks it can get better.

“We got about a month left for Spring Training and I think there’s a lot of things I can get better at -- I know I can get better at that,” he said. “I think we have some room for improvement and we’re going to keep working to get better.”