Astros Crawfish Boil: May 2, 2016

Astros News

Astros look to win back preseason believers after brutal first month
Predictions of a return to the playoffs may yet prove accurate, but first the Astros will have to reverse some troubling trends from a 7-17 April.

Doug Fister's excellent start carries Astros over Athletics - Houston Chronicle
Baseball's most underachieving team managed just two hits Sunday.

Twins-Astros Preview (May 1, 2016) | FOX Sports
Dallas Keuchel sorely needs a home start, and having it come against the worst team in the AL could certainly help.

Altuve's 4th leadoff HR of season sparks Astros' 2-1 win over A's - Houston Chronicle
Baseball's most underachieving team managed only two hits Sunday.

Astros report: Hinch hopes Gomez can avoid DL - Houston Chronicle
Carlos Gomez is expected to ramp up baseball activities Monday in Houston as the Astros center fielder tries to work his way back from left rib cage soreness suffered in Friday night's loss to the Athletics

Fresno Grizzlies: As parent-club Astros struggles, Grizzlies watch on | Fresno Bee
With the parent club Houston Astros finishing the first month of the season at 7-17, the Fresno Grizzlies watch and wait to see if the parent club will turn to their Triple-A team for help.

MLB report: Braves to call up ex-Astros prospect Foltynewicz - Houston Chronicle
Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum will pitch for major league clubs in a showcase event Friday as he attempts to make a comeback bid from hip surgery last year.

MLB News

It's been one crazy week for the Marlins - SBNation.com
Saturday's Say Hey includes the most Marlins week of all time, the eventual return of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, and a hilarious rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

Let's talk about what more MLB and the MLBPA can do about PEDs - MLB Daily Dish
MLB Daily Dish staff discusses the larger forces around the current PED discussion surrounding Chris Colabello and Dee Gordon.

Watch Alex Rodriguez scratch his crotch with his bat - SBNation.com
WHAT.

Vin Scully spent 5 minutes during a game schooling viewers on the history of beards - SBNation.com
This was fascinating.

David Ortiz keeps promise to young fan with heart defect by hitting a home run - SBNation.com
"You take care, buddy. And I'm going to hit a home run for you tonight. Remember that. For you."

The Mets can't stop winning - SBNation.com
Sunday's Say Hey includes the Mets' ridiculous winning streak, the best and worst of the Astros' lineup and the funky postgame apparel of one Nick Castellanos.

Dodgers' Running Man Challenge turned into a popcorn dance party - SBNation.com
A running man popcorn dance party is the best kind of party!