Astros Crawfish Boil: August 18, 2023

Here’s the Friday Boil!

The Astros seem to be getting on a roll here at the right time of the season. Unfortunately, the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners also picked this time to get hot. All three clubs have won seven of their last 10. A little more fortunately, the Astros have a chance to take a lot of the wind out of the Mariners' sails.

Houston Astros News

5 reasons Texas Rangers might lose AL West title to Houston Astros (krem.com)

Where’s Jeremy Peña’s playoff form? SS works to find it at plate (houstonchronicle.com)

Former Detroit Tigers catcher inks minor league deal with Astros (mlive.com)

How Michael Brantley’s return could have polarizing consequences for Houston Astros (houston.sportsmap.com)

Astros’ José Altuve’s Height Mocked in New Photo Next to Yordan Alvarez (newsweek.com)

The Houston Astros Broadcast Team Outed This Fella For What Is Either The Best Or Worst Toupee Of All Time (barstoolsports.com)

The Astros’ Potential Outfield Surplus (mlbtraderumors.com)

Behind Astros prospect Joey Loperfido’s promotion to Sugar Land (astrosfuture.com)

AL West News

Jon Daniels thriving as family man one year after Rangers firing (dallasnews.com)

The Rangers’ Big Middle Infield Investment Is Paying Off (mlbtraderumors.com)

Texas Rangers Retain High Farm System Rank Despite Trades (si.com)

Could The Angels Soon Be Playing Baseball Without A Stadium Lease in Anaheim? (voiceofoc.org)

Angels News: Phil Nevin Wasn’t Going to Take Reid Detmers Out of No-Hitter (si.com)

Can the Angels miss the postseason for the ninth year in a row and still keep Shohei Ohtani? (sports.yahoo.com)

Video: Who do you trust in the 9th inning of the Seattle Mariners game? - Seattle Sports - Seattle Sports (sports.mynorthwest.com)

Mariners Player Called Out on Rare ‘Abandonment’ Rule in Bizarre Scene vs. Royals (si.com)

Could Adam Oller Help Mariners Pitching Staff Down the Stretch? (sodomojo.com)

AL-best Orioles set to visit league-worst Athletics (deadspin.com)

Zack Gelof makes A’s history in monster game vs. Cardinals (nbcsportsbayarea.com)

A’s can look to resurgent Orioles as a model for their deep rebuild (mercurynews.com)

MLB News (mlb.com)

Australia’s two-way superstar Genevieve Beacom drawing Ohtani comparisons

Cubs’ campaign continues to be a ‘wonderful surprise’

2 new bats join Hitter Power Rankings

Injuries: McClanahan, Kelenic, Stroman, Trout, Cardinals

‘Stella and the Fellas’ crushing baseballs (and candy) at LLWS

Quintana earns first win of 2023 vs. familiar faces

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

Houston Astros Birthdays

RHP Yimi García (33) appeared out of Houston’s bullpen 23 times through post-deadline 2021. He struck out 25 in 21 ¹⁄₃ innings, with a 1.078 WHIP and a 3.36 FIP.

C Evan Gattis (37) appeared in 493 games for the Astros from 2015 through 2018. He slashed a healthy looking .245/.298/.471 line, with 96 jacks and 293 RBI. It’s been noted before, and will be again — Gattis hit 11 triples in 2015, ranking third in the American League — and only one other three-bagger over his six-season career. Just weird.

Corner infielder Jack Howell (62) appeared 61 times for the Astros in 1998 and 1999, closing out his 11-season MLB career with a .254/.361/.437 line which is his best from amongst his three career MLB teams.

RHP Luis Victorino (21) is 3-0 with 16 strikeouts in 18 innings for the FCL Astros. He’s only allowed 11 hits, but he’s walked 20. His advantage of throwing it where the hitter doesn’t expect is offset by the penalty of him not knowing where it’s going either.