Welcome to the Saturday (bonus) Crawfish Boil!
Due to the trade deadline, we’ll be publishing the Boil through the weekend as well.
Last night’s game didn’t end the way we had hoped, but we need to remember to focus on the positives. Cristian Javier pitched pretty well after the first inning, Jose Abréu clocked the heck out of that ball, and we got a couple of hustle bang-bang singles. Be optimistic. It hurts nothing. Even right after a loss, be optimistic. After all, there’s probably another tomorrow.
Houston Astros News
Astros ball boy makes great catch | 07/28/2023 | Houston Astros (mlb.com)
Houston brings in relief; Astros acquire reliever Graveman from White Sox (tdtnews.com)
Former ace rumors swirls as Houston Astros plan to acquire starting pitching (bvmsports.com)
Astros address ‘high priority’ with Kendall Graveman, but what about starting pitching? (theathletic.com)
MLB trade grades: Astros bring back familiar face from White Sox (fansided.com)
Javier’s ‘mystical’ fastball of swing-and-miss variety (mlb.com)
AL West News
Mariners aim to keep win streak alive against the Diamondbacks (caledonianrecord.com)
Perdomo puts gum on Rodríguez | 07/28/2023 | Seattle Mariners (mlb.com)
Seattle Mariners Defeat Arizona Diamondbacks in Explosive Offense Game (bvmsports.com)
Shohei Ohtani leaves with injury, everything goes wrong for Angels at critical time (theathletic.com)
Blue Jays overcome Shohei Ohtani’s latest homer, beat Angels (reuters.com)
Los Angeles Angels Acquire Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López: What It Means for Their Playoff Push and Impact (bvmsports.com)
A’s Prospect Luis Morales Makes Full-Season Pro Debut with Stockton Ports (si.com)
Gelof’s hot start a spark for A’s: ‘I love playing this game’ (mlb.com)
Gelof, Laureano homer to back Sears in Oakland A’s win at Rockies (mercurynews.com)
Texas Rangers Considering Trading for Mets’ Justin Verlander: Playoff Experience and Contract Concerns (bvmsports.com)
MLB trade deadline: Rangers acquire Kevin Plawecki from Padres (ballysports.com)
Rangers need to work on sales pitch if they want Padres to sell (dallasnews.com)
MLB News
Santander ends duel with walk-off homer to beat Yankees (mlb.com)
Execs weigh in on how Deadline will pan out (mlb.com)
Tauchman’s walk-off HR robbery provides signature rivalry win (mlb.com)
Scherzer to ‘talk to the brass’ about Mets’ Deadline plans (mlb.com)
Arenado: ‘I haven’t been asked’ about waiving no-trade clause (mlb.com)
MLB trade deadline: Chicago White Sox trade Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly (Chicagotribune.com)
Deadline buzz: The latest rumors and news (mlb.com)
Tracking every trade ahead of this year’s Deadline (mlb.com)
Houston Astros Birthdays
Infielder Jacob Wilson (33) went two-for-13 a double, a triple and an RBI in six games for the 2021 Astros.
RHP Mike Williams (55) appeared in 25 contests through the 2001 Astros stretch-run. He was 4-0 with a 4.03 ERA and 16 K’s in 22 1⁄3 innings.
Corner infielder Dan Driessen (72) played in 17 games for the 1986 Astros, going seven-for-24 with five walks versus two strikeouts. In a small sample size, he put up a .292/.414/.458 slashline.
OF Félix Mantilla (89) played in 77 games for the 1966 Houston club, hitting .219 with six homers and 22 RBI.