Astros Crawfish Boil: June 18th, 2019

Check out the rest of the Crawfish Boxes here

Astros News

For the first time in a long time the Astros lost a series opener, mainly thanks to one bad inning and an ineffective offense (Houston Chronicle)
It also didn’t help that the Reds were apparently prepared to beat the shift (Texas Sports Nation)
But was the outcome changed thanks to a single unsent runner late in the game? (Texas Sports Nation)
You may have noticed an unusual outfield configuration for the ‘Stros in yesterday’s match (Houston Chronicle)
Jake Kaplan answered a few questions from his mailbag, starting with Kyle Tucker’s trade value (The Athletic, $$$)
Alex Bregman is crushing it in votes for 3B at the All-Star Game (Astros.com)
Does Yordon Àlvarez belong in the 2019 home run derby? (The Runner Sports)
Even if he doesn’t, his presence alone is providing a plethora of options for the Astros (Houston Sportsmap)
What’s old is new again as the Astros have signed Felipe Paulino from the Sugarland Skeeters (CBS Sports)
I’m not saying that this marriage is better than yours, but did you get married at MMP after a decade of Astros fandom alongside your middle school sweetheart? (KHOU 11)

Around the League

Edwin Encarnación profiles perfectly for a Yankees team that loves its homers and smothering offense (The Ringer)
But how does his acquisition change the calculus in the AL East? (Sports Illustrated)
Manny Machado has been suspended one game for aggressively arguing with an ump, but he’s fighting it (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Matt Carpenter pulled off the classic bunting for a double maneuver yesterday (CUT4)
The DR authorities have identified the cash man in the Ortiz shooting (ESPN)
If you had $5.6 million you too could own some of Babe Ruth’s pit stains (Sports 610 Radio)
And for decidedly less you could just guzzle a tub of mayo at a local baseball game (Inside Edition)

Poll

Hey guys, so on Monday I tossed up a poll about the future of Crawfish Boils on Saturday. I’d appreciate it if everyone who did not could head on over and vote so I can get an idea of what the community would like heading forward. I’m leaving it open all week and you can participate here (just scroll to the bottom). I appreciate every vote as it lets me know what you would most like to see. Thanks again!