A realization just occurred, since the inception of this regular links dump post the Astros have gone 17-8. Including the sweeping of both the Phillies and Cardinals. I won't take all the credit, but any cookies or gifts can be sent to my home address. Coming to my house and giving me a hug are also welcome, just make sure you're wearing pants.
Major Leagues
The Astros' 2011 Rotation: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com
MLBTR takes a look at next years starting rotation.
Playing the God of Baseball | FanGraphs Baseball
Maury Brown at FanGraphs discusses the changes he'd make if he were in charge.
Statistics
Joe Posnanski " Blog Archive " Why I Like WAR (with Poker talk)
Posnanski gives his perspective on WAR and explains why he likes the stat.
WAR without the defense (oWAR) & WAR with just the defense (dWAR) " Baseball-Reference Blog " Blog Archive
Baseball Reference has decided to add oWAR and dWAR to their statistics. oWAR covers a players value offensively and dWAR covers a players value defensively using their TZ defensive metric.
Updated In-season 2010 (and 2009) Park Factors " Baseball-Reference Blog " Blog Archive
This should add a little fuel to the bonfire that is the Felix Hernandez vs CC Sabathia CY Young debate.
Minor Leagues
The Minors in Context: Introduction | FanGraphs Baseball
FanGraphs takes a look at the pitching and run environments for the Minor Leagues.
Astros County: Interview: Brandon Barnes
Astros County does an interview with Minor Leaguer Brandon Barnes
For Pankovits, ValleyCats’ crown is title of a lifetime - Mark McGuire - Mark McGuire on local, regional and national sports - timesunion.com - Albany NY
I had no idea that Pop Fisher coached the ValleyCats. Where was the mention, though, of the Judge trying to buy out Pop's shares? (h/t to Astros County)
TCB Twitter Follow Friday
Twitter / Peter Gammons:
Astros started 17-34, Brad Mills overhauled, 50-39 since June 1. He has to be NL Mgr. of the Year
Index of TCB's articles from prospect week after the jump
The Crawfish Boxes' Top 30 Prospect List - The Crawfish Boxes
Rookie Review
Rookie Review: Tommy Manzella - The Crawfish Boxes
Rookie Review: Felipe Paulino - The Crawfish Boxes
Rookie Review: Angel Sanchez - The Crawfish Boxes
Rookie Review: Wilton Lopez - The Crawfish Boxes
Rookie Review: Jason Castro - The Crawfish Boxes
Rookie Review: Bud Norris - The Crawfish Boxes
Rookie Review: Chris Johnson - The Crawfish Boxes
Minor League Team Review
Round Rock Express Season Review - The Crawfish Boxes
Corpus Christi Hooks Season Review - The Crawfish Boxes
Lancaster JetHawks Season Review - The Crawfish Boxes
Lexington Legends Season Review - The Crawfish Boxes
Greeneville Astros Season Review - The Crawfish Boxes
Gulf Coast League Astros Season Review - The Crawfish Boxes
Podcasts
Also on iTunes
TCB Coming Straight To Your Ears In First Podcast - The Crawfish Boxes
TCB Podcast, Part Two Is Live - The Crawfish Boxes
Third And Final TCB Prospect Podcast Now Live - The Crawfish Boxes