Astros Crawfish Boil: August 17, 2023

Here’s your Thursday Boil!

Your Astros gained a game on the Texas Rangers, thanks to some pretty good pitching courtesy of the Los Angeles Angels. At 2 ¹⁄₂ games back with a quarter of the season remaining, it’s entirely possible that Houston could make a run at the AL West crown. Still, it’s appearing more and more likely that they’ll complete the season in the second wildcard position.

Houston Astros News

The hardest-hit homer of Alex Bregman’s career defines a win and perhaps an offensive renaissance (houstonchronicle.com)

Bregman, Tucker, McCormick homer in 1st inning as the Astros rout Marlins 12-5 (apnews.com)

Marlins rally, then fall apart in seventh inning against Astros. Takeaways from the loss (miamiherald.com)

Hunter Brown back in rotation on Friday against Seattle but José Urquidy’s next start undetermined (houstonchronicle.com)

Justin Verlander Refutes Accusations That He Was a ‘Diva’ on the Mets (people.com)

Former Phillies, Mariners, and Giants catcher Andrew Knapp signed a minor league deal with the Astros yesterday.

AL West News

Mariners take on the Royals after Rodriguez’s 4-hit game (beloitdailynews.com)

Scott Servais on 6-5 win | 08/16/2023 | Seattle Mariners (mlb.com)

Mariners, Royals set to wrap up wild four-game series (deadspin.com)

Former Miami Marlins President on A’s Owner John Fisher’s Financial Situation (si.com)
It’s a not-bad article by si.com!

Matthew Liberatore struggles in loss to A’s (mlb.com)

Gelof’s 4 hits, Blackburn’s gem key Oakland A’s shutout over Cards (mercurynews.com)

Detmers takes no-hitter into 8th inning, Ohtani hits 42nd homer as Angels beat Rangers 2-0 (apnews.com)

Texas Rangers all bark, no bite in another finale loss (lonestarball.com)

Former Anaheim mayor agrees to plead guilty to corruption charges related to Angel Stadium sale (theathletic.com)

4 Rangers who are playing their way out of the team’s 2024 plans (nolanwritin.com)

Let’s talk about J.P. Martinez and the Texas Rangers’ future (dallasnews.com)

Ohtani goes with flow after clubbing 437-foot homer (mlb.com)

The Texas Rangers set a record after beating Los Angeles (nationworldnews.com)

MLB News (mlb.com)

Baseball ‘witch’ Tatis makes stealing home look easy

Morel’s stunning walk-off blast puts Cubs into Wild Card position

Make that 10 straight for red-hot Dodgers: ‘Just great baseball’

Marlins Minor Leaguer pulls off feat done just once in MLB since 1901

The rookie catcher quietly fueling Giants’ playoff push

Who will be No. 1 in 2025? Projecting each team’s future top prospect

‘Squirrels and cats’ carom gives Raley standup inside-the-park HR

Houston Astros Birthdays

LHP Blake Taylor (28) was 7-6 in 92 trips out of the bullpen for Houston from 2020 through 2022. After getting DFA’d at the end of July, he was released by Houston two weeks ago. He has pitched to a 3.06 ERA, a 1.387 WHIP, and 67 K’s over 79 ¹⁄₃ innings.

Infielder Tyler Greene (40) appeared in 39 games for the 2012 Astros, hitting .246/.278/.460 with seven homers and 11 RBI.

RHP Brett Myers (43) made 102 appearances for the Astros from 2010 through 2012, including 66 starts. In 470 ¹⁄₃ innings, he struck out 360 and pitched to a 3.77 ERA and a 1.280 WHIP.

RHP Chad Qualls (45) pitched for Houston from 2004 through 2007 then again in 2014 and 2015. In 380 relief appearances, he was 27-22 with a 3.51 ERA and 307 K’s in 384 ²⁄₃ innings. He also had a 1.209 WHIP for Houston, one of nine teams for whom he appeared at the major league level.

RHP John Buzhardt (1936-2008) closed out his 11-season major league career with the Astros in 1967 and 1968. He was 4-4 with a 3.09 ERA over 40 appearances, with 37 strikeouts in 84 ¹⁄₃ innings.