Astros Crawfish Boil: August 21, 2023

The Astros welcome the Red Sox to MMP tonight at 8:10 PM CT. But first, this Boil!

Houston Astros News

Weary Astros brace for red-hot Red Sox (deadspin.com)

Surging Mariners sweep rival Astros as Julio Rodriguez streaks through historic week (thenewstribune.com)

Mariners’ sweep ‘a slap in the face’ to an Astros team fighting for a playoff spot (theathletic.com)

Astros hold team meeting after sweep by Mariners (mlb.com)

Pooches steal the spotlight at the annual Astros Dog Day (chron.com)

AL West News

Angels host the Reds to start 3-game series (kentuckytoday.com)

2023 MLB power rankings: Yankees and Angels drop, evaluating worst and best MLB teams (sportsnaut.com)

Angels Roster Move Hints at Mike Trout Monday Return (si.com)

Athletics bring home losing streak into matchup with the Royals (apnews.com)

Gunnar Henderson falls single shy of the cycle vs. Athletics (mlb.com)

Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson explains passing on cycle vs. Athletics (clutchpoints.com)

Moore leads Mariners against the White Sox after 4-hit game (recorderonline.com)

MLB Power Rankings: Are the Seattle Mariners a Top-5 team? | Flippin’ Bats (madrastribune.com)

Postgame Show! Seattle Mariners Break Out Brooms, Slap Astros in the Face With Them! (kbmt.com)

Rangers aim to stop 4-game skid, take on the Diamondbacks (elpasoinc.com)

Rangers’ Max Scherzer gets 100% real about true goal amid historic strikeout feat (clutchpoints.com)

Rangers ‘funk’ after sweep to Brewers looks familiar (dallasnews.com)

MLB News (MLB.COM)

Nats cap special day in Williamsport with a victory

A new kind of lumber at Little League Classic: a pencil bat!

Brewers sweep matchup of division leaders vs. Rangers

Padres promote 17-year-old top prospect to Double-A (report)

5 series to keep your eye on as postseason races heat up

Nationals renew ritual of sliding down hill with Little Leaguers

Yankees, Tigers to face off in 2024 Little League Classic

20 stars who went from the LLWS to the big leagues

Houston Astros Birthdays

DH JD Martinez (36) began his 13-season MLB career with the Houston Astros for three seasons beginning in 2011. In 252 games, he hit .251/.300/.387 with 24 home runs and 126 RBI. He’s since made six All Star appearances, along with winning two Silver Sluggers.

IF Jerry DaVanon (78) appeared in 93 games for Houston in 1975 and 1976. He hit .284 and walked 37 times to only 19 strikeouts.

C Christian Vázquez (33) played 35 games for the eventual MLB Champion Astros in 2022. He hit .250 for Houston.

LF Derek Fisher (30) played in 112 Houston games from 2017 through 2019. He hit .201 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI.

OF Karl Rhodes (55) started his six-season MLB career with Houston from 1990 through 1993. In 92 games he hit .219 with two home runs and 15 RBI. He might be most famous for launching three home runs on 1994 Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs.

SS Andujar Cedeno (1969-2000) played 395 contests for the Astros between 1990 and 1994, then again in 1996. He put up a .250/.309/.389 slashline with 31 homers and 154 RBI.

1B/OF Jim Beauchamp (1939-2007) played for the Houston Colt .45s in 1964 and the Astros in 1965 and again in 1970. In 78 games he managed a .179 average.