Welcome to the Wednesday Boil!
It’s Humpday, for both the week and the month, but not the season. With 145 games to play last season, the Astros were just 6-11 — remember that before setting sail with the Panic Battalion. We’re always recruiting here for the Pollyanna Patrol.
Houston Astros News
Nolan Arenado’s silence-breaking explanation for Astros trade veto made no sense (CTH)
Astros Rising Star Quickly Emerging As Team’s Ace With Cy Young-Caliber Start (SI)
Houston Astros Shut Out St. Louis Cardinals as Yordan Alvarez Hits Historic Home Run (SI)
Cam Smith’s on-the-job training is far from ideal, but the Astros don’t have a choice (CTH)
Astros Slot Intriguing Rookie for Another Turn in Rotation with Padres up Next (SI)
Facing Cardinals, Astros seek season’s first back-to-back wins (DeadSpin)
2 Astros players who are already earning more playing time, 3 who deserve less (CTH)
AL West News
Rangers Release JT Chargois (MLBTR)
Mariners Re-Sign Jesse Hahn To Minor League Deal (MLBTR)
Santoro: Sacramento hasn’t embraced the Athletics — why would Las Vegas? (Nevada Appeal)
Angels-Anthony Rendon deal now has worthy contender for worst contract in MLB history (Halo Hangout)
MLB News
World Wide Webb (FG)
Braves Sideline Reporter Ripped By Media Elites For Trying To Get Woman’s Phone Number (OutKick) This here is wild.
Rockies Mailbag: As losses mount, will Bud Black or Bill Schmidt be fired? (Denver Post)
7 early questions about the Cy Young races
This Is How You Earn (Or Lose) One Fielding Run (FG)
Bregman’s birth announcement? 5 H, 2 HR, 4 RBIs
DJ Herz To Undergo Tommy John Surgery (MLBTR)
Bullpen bounce-back, Hoerner’s heroics help Cubs hand Padres first home loss
Ever see a 3-player back-6 putout?Braves Activate Spencer Strider (MLBTR)
Triple-A club scores 3 runs … on a walk?! You have to see this
Cardinals Recall Matt Svanson For MLB Debut (MLBTR)
Houston Astros Birthdays
RHP Nivaldo Rodríguez (28)
SS Tommy Manzella (42)
C Bruce Bochy (70)
RHP Carlos Montes (21) DSL Astros Blue
Minor Leagues
Sugar Land Space Cowboys dropped a 6-5 decision to the Las Vegas Aviators yesterday. Shay Whitcomb had three hits, including his third home run of the season. Jayden Murray pitched two scoreless innings in relief.
8:35 PM CT, Aaron Brown (0-3, 11.25) vs. Mason Barnett (0-0, 7.50)
Corpus Christi Hooks lost, 3-0 to the Midland RockHounds. Anthony Sherwin was the only Hook to finish with multiple hits, and Joey Mancini (0-2, 6.48) took the loss.
6:30 PM CT, Trey Dombroski (0-1, 2.25) vs. James Gonzalez (1-0, 5.40)
The Asheville Tourists lost a heartbreaker to the Rome Emporers, letting the bad guys win by a 15-0 squeaker. Tyler Whitaker got a pair of hits, while Derek True (1-1, 3.60) was tagged with the loss.
Asheville just defeated Rome, 2-0 behind solo shots from Alejandro Nunez (2) and Joseph Sullivan (3). Jose Guedez pitched five innings of one-hit shutout ball, and Brett Gillis followed with three perfect innings, striking out five.
Aside from Houston proper, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers were the only ones to turn in a win in last night’s minor league action, hanging a 7-6 L on the Fredericksburg Nationals. Caden Powell enjoyed a great game, hitting a single, a double, and a home run with four RBI in the win, while Francisco Frias (1-1, 4.50) was credited with the victory.
5:35 PM CT, Bryan Polanco (0-1, 5.00) vs. TBD