It’s the Wednesday Boil.
Welcome to the first day of the rest of the season.
Every day that goes by brings us one day closer to the Astros playing decently once again. Now whether that’s this week, this month, or even this season remains to be seen.
Remaining optimistic is my forte, so I’ll say the hard times are finally over and Houston begins to play the way we have come to expect over the past decade.
My pessimistic side, however small, keeps nagging in the corner of my brain that the salad days are completely gone.
The middle point, by design, is really where Houston’s future lies. Hopefully, 10 games under .500 is the lowest we’ll go.
Astros can’t break out of funk in rare trip to Wrigley
Astros 2024: Off-day gripes (Chipalatta — I’m linking this a day late, but this should be read anyway)
As early losses mount, Astros still ‘trying to click as a team’ (Houston Chronicle)
Houston Astros on the Brink: Searching for an Inflection Point (G3 Football)
Astros’ spiral continues — when will inflection point for change arrive? (The Athletic)
Houston Astros: Joe Espada meets with players individually (Houston Chronicle)
AL West News
A’s: Sac State Says: Students are excited for the Oakland A’s move to Sacramento (YT)
M’s: J-Rod hits Texas-sized first HR of ‘24 as Mariners blank Rangers
Blarts: Johnny Cueto signs minor league deal with Texas. He was an All-Star for Rangers manager Bruce Bochy (The Washington Post)
Halos: Trout plays tone-setter with leadoff homer in Halos win: ‘It was awesome’
MLB News
Ohtani destroys 118.7 mph homer for hardest of his career
Fried tosses 3rd career ‘Maddux’ … just as his team predicted
Change in ‘mojo’: How high socks helped snap the Royals’ skid
Flamethrower rears back … and lights go out. Catcher not fazed
Furry new member of Nats booth provides collar commentary
Once rivals, still friends: Verlander, Orenduff recount epic duel 20 years later
The Dodgers Are Struggling Out of the Gate — Again (FG)
Could fans booing Judge cause Soto to leave the Yankees (YB)
Tarik Skubal is unbeatable if the Tigers give him run support (YB — let me point out that everyone is unbeatable with “enough” run support)
Houston Astros Birthdays
CF Carlos Beltran (47)
RHP Todd Jones (56
OF/1B Iván Murrell (1943-2006)