Astros Crawfish Boil: July 17, 2023

Welcome to the Monday Boil!

That was one of the best and most exciting series, front to back, that I’ve seen all year. Although it would’ve been true, I wouldn’t be extolling it as much if the Astros had dropped it. As that’s neither here or there, I will say that Houston’s playoff odds are up to 67.2 percent (fangraphs) and 68.6 percent (b/r).

Houston Astros News

7 players the Houston Astros wish they didn’t give up on when they did (climbingtalshill.com)
Fair warning — this is an article that required multiple slides. I know some of you don’t like that very much.

“You Can Tell Dusty to Kiss My A*S…” (essentiallysports.com)

Jake Meyers Salary: Astros outfielder’s contract details broken down (sportskeeda.com)

Angels drop series to Houston Astros after bullpen hit leads (playcrazygame.com)

Which Astros pitchers have had 200+ strikeouts in a season? MLB Immaculate Grid answers July 17 (sportskeeda.com)
How many can you name before clicking the article? I can think of four right this second, but I know there’s probably more.

Houston Astros Rumors: Report Indicates Interest In Former MVP (MLB Trade Rumors) (wisportsheroics.com)
spoiler — it’s Cody Bellinger

AL West News

Kerry Barrels: Carpenter’s two home runs ignite Tigers’ series-clinching win in Seattle (detroitnews.com)

After flat start to second half, Eugenio Suarez gives Mariners emotional lift (seattletimes.com)

Mariners stood with JP Crawford. He’s making them look pretty smart (union-bulletin.com)

Texas Rangers Complete Sweep of Cleveland Guardians with 6-5 Comeback Win - Breaking Latest News (breakinglatest.news)

Texas Rangers host the Tampa Bay Rays on home winning streak (republicworld.com)

Rays’ Shane McClanahan to return from IL vs. Rangers (Reuters.com)

High-Profile Indorsement to Keep Athletics Team in Oakland gillettnews.com)

Opposite-field approach brings Twins offense to life in victory over Oakland (theathletic.com)

Athletics enter matchup with the Red Sox on losing streak (chronicleonline.com)

Angels fans slam Phil Nevin’s management after team loses vs Astros (sportskeeda.com)

Are the Los Angeles Dodgers the top landing spot for Shohei Ohtani? | Flippin’ Bats (foxsports.com)

MLB News

To buy or not to buy? We broke it all down (mlb.com)

Elly’s newest feat? The fastest-tracked infield assist (mlb.com)

O’s 1 game behind Rays after 8th straight win, sweep of Marlins (mlb.com)

This team could be a ‘wild card’ in Ohtani trade market (mlb.com)

These are the best outfield throwing arms in baseball (mlb.com)

Crew ‘pen blanks Reds in sweep to take 2-game division lead (mlb.com)

5 series to keep your eye on as postseason races heat up (mlb.com)

The new longest name in MLB history? Almost here (mlb.com)

Houston Astros Birthdays

RHP Jason Jennings (45) pitched nine major league seasons, including the 2007 campaign with the Astros. While a part of Houston’s rotation, he was 2-9 with a 5.39 FIP and a 1.545 WHIP. He struck out 71 in 99 innings.

RHP Pete Ladd (67) made 10 relief appearances for the 1979 Astros, later catching on as part of the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen. While playing for Houston, he pitched to a 2.92 ERA and struck out six in 12 ¹⁄₃ innings.