Astros Crawfish Boil: September 22, 2023

Welcome to the Friday Boil!

Houston Astros News

Astros maintain postseason hold with wild walk-off (MLB)

Astros seek to control destiny going into Royals series (Sportsnaut)

Has Astros manager Dusty Baker traveled 1.8 million miles for baseball? Exploring viral social media claim (Sportskeeda)

Houston Astros Prospect Who Made Major Leap in 2023 (Sports Illustrated)

Houston Astros Fight for AL West Title and Playoff Spot: Urgency and Pressure Build up (BVM Sports)

3 questions Astros must answer before presumed trip to playoffs (Houston Chronicle)

How 2 Houston Astros clutch performers surging late could make all the difference (SportsMap)

Rangers, Mariners, Astros and the AL West playoff race (Dallas Morning News)

Houston Astros vs Kansas City Royals: Crucial Three-Game Series at Minute Maid Park (BVM Sports)

The AL West is headed for a wild finish between the Astros, Rangers and Mariners (WTOP)

The Astros Continue To Struggle Against 1 Opponent (The Cold Wire)

Controversial Barry Bonds Provoked Houston Astros’ Entire Pitching Staff With Historic Milestone One Hit Away in 2001 (Essentially Sports)

AL West News

Breaking down AL West trio’s paths to October

Controversial Barry Bonds Provoked Houston Astros’ Entire Pitching Staff With Historic Milestone One Hit Away in 2001 (Detroit Free Press)

Rays rally in ninth to walk-off win over Carlos Estévez and the Angels (Los Angeles Times)

Why the Texas Rangers signing Jacob deGrom was a risk worth taking, even after Tommy-John surgery (FOX 61)

Rangers Announce Starting Pitchers for Pivotal Mariners Series (Sport DFW)

Oakland officials slam A’s ‘half-baked,’ ‘ugly’ Vegas stadium plan (NBC Sports Bay Area)

MLB News

Will one of these teams win its first World Series this fall?

With Yeli on mend, Crew closes in on postseason spot

From frustration to elation: Rays walk off with series win

Stroman hopes to be ‘weapon’ in Cubs’ bullpen

The final Starting Pitcher Power Rankings of the regular season

Rays’ bullpen has done the unimaginable

Bananas’ appeal reaches Hall of Fame exhibit

Houston Astros Birthdays

Friday

SS Jeremy Peña (26) has appeared in 277 games for the Astros in his first two seasons, and has slashed .258/.306/.405 with 32 home runs and 114 RBI.

SS Carlos Correa (29) played seven seasons with the Astros from 2015 through 2021.

RF Charlton Jimerson (44) played in 18 games for Houston in 2005 and 2006, going two-for-six with a solo home run and two stolen bases.

LF Jeffrey Leonard (68) played in 237 games for Houston between 1978 through 1981. He hit .265/.329/.349 with 74 RBI and 28 stolen bases.

RHP Larry Dierker (77) pitched for Houston from 1964 through 1976, and went 137-117 with a 3.28 ERA, starting in 320 of his 345 appearances with the team. He had a 1.214 WHIP, a 3.21 FIP and 1,487 strikeouts in 2294 ¹⁄₃ innings. Later, he managed the Astros from 1997 through 2001, putting up a 435-348 record for a .556 winning percentage.

Saturday

RHP Pete Harnisch (57) pitched for the Astros from 1991 through 1994, making the All Star Team in 1991. He put up a 45-33 record with a 3.41 ERA over 117 starts. He struck out 583 in 736 innings with a 1.205 WHIP and a 3.63 FIP.

RHP Diosmerky Taveras (24) has spent six seasons in Houston’s system. Most of 2023 was spent with the Corpus Christi Hooks, where he posted a 1.482 WHIP and struck out 58 in 56 innings.

C Terry McGriff (60) appeared in four games for Houston in 1990, and went 0-for-5.

RHP Andrew Taylor (22) was Houston’s second round pick out of Central Michigan in 2022. In 24 games at Single-A with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers this season, he was 4-8 with a 4.61 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 84 innings.

RHP Oscar Zamora (1943-2021) pitched in 10 games for the 1978 Astros, putting up a 1.800 WHIP in 15 innings.

Sunday

RHP Jake Buchanan (34) pitched in 22 games for Houston in 2014 and 2015, striking out 25 in 44 ¹⁄₃ innings and posting a 1.398 WHIP.

RHP Elvis Garcia (21) has played in Houston’s system for three years. He’s 4-7 with a 4.70 ERA.