Welcome to the Friday Astros Crawfish Boil.
It’s Friday! Enjoy some links!
Good morning and welcome to the weekend edition of your (week)daily Boil. How many times will Houston defeat the Tigers this weekend?
Houston Astros News
Why did Astros star Framber Valdez get the early hook in key start? (MSN)
Astros, back from up-and-down road trip, take on Tigers (Scranton Times-Tribune)
Kickin’ It with César Salazar from the Houston Astros! (YT Video)
Astros choosing between two future aces if they buy at trade deadline (FS)
“Karma Sucks” (SK)
The Astros’ Problematic Long-Term Outlook (MLBTR)
Secrecy around Astros leadership reached frustrating peak (SportsMap Houston)
AL West News
A’s: Athletics unable to handle great days from Twins stars in 6-2 loss (NBC)
Rangers: D-Rob’s day (again): K’s of Dodgers’ star trio key win
M’s: Mariners’ magic finally runs out against White Sox (Seattle Times)
Angels: D-backs sluggers Walker, Pederson overwhelm Angels in win (Arizona Sports)
MLB News
NY Times Column (Lotta stuff here)
The Kirby Corollary: Why Batters Don’t Swing at Sliders (FG)
J.D. Martinez makes 321st career HR his first walk-off shot
Correa debuts HR celebration honoring Prince as ‘crazy’ stretch continues
Luke Raley Is Bunt (FG)
Climbing Out of the Deep End: Five Hitters Who Have Turned Their Seasons Around (FG)
Watch: A new contender for baseball’s worst ejection of the season emerges
9-year-old throws 1st pitch to Yamamoto and delivery looks familiar!
Keeping or trading Pete Alonso ‘one of the toughest calls’
10 years after his passing, Tony Gwynn’s fingerprints are still everywhere
Houston Astros Birthdays
Friday
RHP Héctor Neris (35) was 12-7 with a 2.69 ERA and a 1.032 WHIP over 133 2⁄3 innings for Houston in 2022 and 2023.
1B/LF Jesús Guzmán (40) hit .188 in 69 games for the 2014 Astros.
RHP Peter Munro (49) was 12-16 with a 4.49 ERA over 234 1⁄3 innings for the 2002 through 2004 Astros.
OF John Weekly (1937-1974) appeared in 53 games for the Houston Colt .45s through their three seasons of play, with a .207 average and five home runs.
C Carlos Cauro (19) has a .790 career OPS at the rookie level over 258 career at-bats. He’s currently with the FCL Astros.
Saturday
SS/LF Jake Elmore (37) was 29-for-120 with two home runs (and one stolen base in seven attempts) for the 2013 Astros.
RHP Mike Fiers (39) has a birthday.
C Erik Kratz (44) was two-for-29 with the 2016 Astros.
LHP Andy Pettitte (52) won 256 career games in total, going 37-26 for the Astros from 2004 through 2006, with a 3.38 ERA.
Dusty Baker (75) never played for Houston, but he accrued 37 bWAR over a 19-season MLB playing career, and he piloted the Astros to the 2022 World Series Championship.
RHP Darwin Rosario (24) has pitched one inning this season for the DSL Astros Blue, and is currently on the restricted list.
Sunday
RHP Ken Johnson (1933-2015) played 13 seasons between seven teams, including Houston from 1962 through 1965.
RHP Hudson Leach (22) has struck out 14 in 10 innings for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.