Astros Crawfish Boil: September 13, 2023

Welcome to the Wednesday Boil!

Houston Crawfish Boil

Astros fall to .500 at home as JV stumbles

Will the Real Houston Astros Please Stand Up? (Houston Press)

Astros can’t conquer the A’s as the American League West race tightens (The Athletic)

Astros insider: Series loss to A’s spurs a clubhouse reminder (Houston Chronicle)

Astros: Dusty Baker slaps Houston with reality check amid consecutive losses to Athletics (ClutchPoints)

AL West News

Rangers bring 4-game win streak into matchup with the Blue Jays (El Paso Inc.)

Mariners look to build momentum in finale vs. Angels (Deadspin)

Shohei Ohtani scratched with oblique injury (MLB)

Mariners snap 4-game losing streak and gain ground in playoff race by blanking Angels 8-0 (Index-Journal)

A’s have the Astros’ attention: ‘Good, young talent’ (MLB)

Gelof, A’s are ‘trying to be as competitive as possible’ (NBC Sports Bay Area)

Scherzer exits with triceps issue, but Texas holds 2nd Wild Card

Mariners move into 3rd AL Wild Card position with shutout

MLB News

A new NL leader emerges in latest Cy Young poll

Postseason Watch: Bracket, tiebreakers and more

Olson hits 51st home run, tying Braves’ franchise record

Freddie celebrates birthday with HR, 4 hits and personal milestone

Here’s the all-breakout prospect team

Trea Turner chasing stolen base perfection

Crow-Armstrong puts on a clinic in center: ‘I expect to make those plays’

Houston Astros Birthdays

RHP Wade Miller (47) made 123 starts in Houston’s rotation from 2000 through 2004. He posted a 58-39 record and a 3.87 ERA with a 1.309 WHIP. He struck out 659 in 768 innings.

RHP Nelson Cruz (51) made 109 appearances for Houston in 2001 and 2002, mostly in relief. He struck out 136 in 160 ²⁄₃ innings, with a 1.338 WHIP and a 5-9 record with two saves.

Infielder Mike Fischlin (68) played in 58 games for Houston between 1977 and 1980, hitting .127 as a shortstop and sometime pinch hitter.

RHP Billy Smith (69) started once for the 1981 Astros, also making nine trips out of the pen. In 20 ²⁄₃ innings, he had a 3.05 ERA and a 1.113 WHIP.

1B Jim Obradovich (1949-2012) went three-for-17 with a triple and a pair of RBI in 1978, appearing in 10 games for the Astros.