Welcome to the Thursday Boil.

Finally back above .500, Houston still has their work cut out for them if they intend to ascend to the postseason for the seventh year in a row. The Astros need to take advantage of the 13-25 Chicago White Sox, who will host the Astros for a three-game set starting tomorrow.

Houston Astros News

Javier (11 K’s) helps give Astros much-needed boost (MLB.com)

Houston Astros share concerning injury updates (Houston.sportsmap.com)

Houston Astros broadcasters roast Trevor Bauer after foul-ball catch (chron.com)

Houston Astros rookie Yainer Diaz is the ‘future,’ but where? (chron.com)

Houston Astros Catcher Martin Maldonado Makes Baseball History on Tuesday (si.com)

Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr. takes another step toward comeback (houstonchronicle.com)

Michael Brantley, Chas McCormick issues raise questions on Astros’ injury plans (theathletic.com)

Altuve Making Quick Strides Towards Return to Houston Astros (si.com)

AL West News

ESPN MLB Insider Provides Optimism To A’s Fans About Staying in Oakland (si.com)

Oakland A’s reach deal to build stadium at Tropicana Las Vegas, per report (cbssports.com)

22-14 - Dunning gets it done as Rangers take series in Seattle (lonestarball.com)

Corey Seager’s impending return highlights lineup decisions for Rangers (wfaa.com)

Seattle Mariners Make Drastic Decision with Star Julio Rodriguez (si.com)

Mariners look gift horse in the mouth, turn down gift horse, lose game (lookoutlanding.com)

Angels’ Anthony Rendon says, ‘I’m not Tony Four Bags’ (ocregister.com)

Angels Notes: Ohtani’s Plan To Join Dodgers, Astros Win Game 1, Catcher Conflicts & More (si.com)

MLB News

The 10 biggest surprises of the MLB season, from Brent Rooker to the last-place Yankees (theathletic.com)

Why the worst MLB teams of 2023 are historically bad (ESPN.com)

First look: Orlando group proposes $1.7B stadium to lure MLB franchise to Central Florida (fox35orlando.com)

MLB’s six most disappointing teams so far: Mets, Yankees off to rocky starts; Cardinals dig enormous hole (cbssports.com)

MLB Power Rankings: Mets slide, Dodgers find their footing and it’s Wish You Were Here week (theathletic.com)

Five reasons why the Braves have built MLB’s biggest division lead and look poised to run away with NL East (cbssports.com)

One quick fix each team needs (mlb.com)

MLB trends: Cardinals’ surprising problem, Dodgers’ stolen-base issue, baseball’s least-powerful team (cbssports.com)

Marlins make AL/NL history with another one-run victory (mlb.com)

Houston Astros Birthdays

Ohio State alum Zach Dezenzo (23) was Houston’s 12th-round pick in the most recent draft. He’s currently slashing a healthy .348/.441/.609 for the High-A Asheville Tourists.

Joey Loperfido (24) has continued to tear up Double-A with the Corpus Christi Hooks, hitting .352/.486/.648 in 15 games.