Looking for lucky seven tonight.
Welcome to the Tuesday Boil.
Houston is finally alone in first place atop the AL West, at a season-high eight games above .500. Somehow, they passed the Mariners while Seattle’s also on a winning streak (four games at present). Tonight, the Astros will attempt to win their seventh straight against the fading Tampa Bay Rays.
Houston Astros News
Valdez and Diaz’s unstoppable battery leads Astros to 6th straight win
Astros’ hottest pitching prospect hasn’t allowed earned run since June (Chron)
As Astros’ outfield dilemma continues, Zach Dezenzo enters the picture (The Athletic ($$))
Will Wagner eclipses famous father’s career hits total in first MLB game (Chron)
Jose Altuve moved up to second on the Houston Astros in multiple hits. (East Africa News Post — this is a must read for grammar police)
Astros could experiment with rookie Zach Dezenzo in the outfield (Houston Chronicle)
AL West News
A’s: How to Start a Professional Sports Team, Win Games, and Save the Town (The Ringer — this one is a true must-read)
M’s: Star outfielder Randy Arozarena has revived the Mariners season (YB)
Mallcops: Rangers continue to fade in playoff race with walk-off loss to Red Sox (YB)
Halos: Jackson Merrill’s star rises as Mike Trout’s absence stings (YB)
MLB News
Looking good! Betts goes deep to lead Dodgers in return from IL
Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. gets last laugh on ‘overrated’ label (YB)
Duel of the year? Sale, Snell combine for 23 K’s in Braves win
What Is Jackson Chourio’s Superpower? (FG)
Ohtani homers in a way he’s never done before
White Sox rout Yankees for Sizemore’s 1st win as manager
Red Sox announce two-game suspension for OF Jarren Duran (YB)
Rays calling up No. 2 overall prospect Caminero
Why this is the breakout year for one young ace
Wagner, son of All-Star closer, debuts with 3-for-4 night
Tanner Rainey Is the Lowest-Leverage Reliever in Baseball (FG)
Houston Astros Birthdays
C Dustin Garneau (37) was six-for-38 for the 2020 Astros, with a .562 OPS in 17 games.
3B Gary Cooper was four-for-16 in a nine-game sample for the 1991 Astros.