The Astros have got your weekend covered.
Welcome to the weekend Boil!
A day without Houston Astros baseball in the middle of the season always makes me more grateful when they come back and play again. That time from November through February makes me ill without baseball. I’ll be ok. #firstworldproblems
Houston Astros News
Astros’ X-factor in playoff push is surging at the right time (YB)
Wild card bye? Astros now 6 games back of favorable postseason seed with 42 games left (ABC)
Former Houston Astros Star Prospect Has Horrid Start With Toronto Blue Jays (SI)
The Houston Astros need to capitalize on schedule (10TV)
Houston Astros’ Justin Verlander throws 4 innings in second rehab start from neck ailment (Houston Chronicle)
Extra Bases: Why ‘good gravy’ describes Astros’ Janek; plus Kikuchi trade explained (again) (KHOU)
Astros aim to continue hot streak at home against White Sox (Deadspin)
AL West News
A’s: Contracts for A’s ballpark on Strip ‘rounding third and heading home’ (Las Vegas Review-Journal
Rangers: Little Ditty ‘Bout Jack and Kumar, Two Texas Rangers Prospects, Doing Best They Can (Head Topics)
Mariners: With or without Julio Rodríguez, Mariners’ playoff hopes hinge on their bats (NY Times)
For Seattle’s Bryce Miller, a Splitter Means Better Splits (FG)
Halos: Angels bring home losing streak into matchup with the Braves (FOX)
MLB News
Everything you need to know about Players’ Weekend
Twins Place Byron Buxton On Injured List (MLBTR)
Floated MLB rule could be a bigger change than pitch clock (YB)
Rhys Hoskins’ Secret to Infield Hit Immortality (FG)
Rich Hill nearing deal with playoff hopeful (YB)
Camilo Doval Is Down and Away in More Ways Than One (FG)
Witt vs. Elly: Battle of the superstar shortstops in Cincy
‘Out of options,’ Yelich to undergo season-ending back surgery
A deep dive into each team’s updated Top 30 Prospects list
Rookie’s ‘testament to perseverance’: Wilson hits for 10th cycle in Phillies history
Houston Astros Birthdays
Friday
RHP Peter Solomon (28) pitched 14 innings for the 2021 Astros, and allowed two runs.
C Martín Maldonado (38) played for Houston in 2018 then again from 2019 through 2023. He hit .191 with a .623 OPS and provided Framber Valdez respite with his soothing presence on gameday.
OF Roger Cedeño (50) played 74 games with the 2000 Astros, with a .781 OPS and 25 stolen bases in 36 attempts.
RHP Xavier Hernandez (59) pitched for Houston from 1990 through 1993 then again in 1996. Overall, he was 22-19 with a 3.40 ERA over 273 appearances, with a 1.234 WHIP.
Saturday
LHP Blake Taylor (29) pitched for Houston from 2020 through 2022, striking out 67 and walking 44 in 79 1⁄3 innings.
C Victor Caratini (31) is Houston’s current number two catcher, and his slashing .269/.327/.455 for the Astros. Yeah, that’s better than you thought…
IF Tyler Greene (41) hit .246/.278/.460 in 39 games for the 2012 Astros.
RHP Brett Myers (44) was 21-26 with a 3.77 ERA in 102 appearances for Houston from 2010 through 2012, including 66 starts.
RHP Chad Qualls (46) pitched for the Astros from 2004 through 2007 then again in 2014 and 2015. He tossed 384 2⁄3 innings with 307 K’s and 98 walks, going 27-22 with a 3.51 ERA.
RHP John Buzhardt (1936-2008) threw 84 1⁄3 innings for the Astros in 1967 and 1968, with a 4-4 record and a 3.09 ERA.
Sunday
RHP Yimi García (34) spent the back half of 2021 with Houston, with 25 strikeouts in 21 1⁄3 innings.
C Evan Gattis (38) played in 493 games for the Astros between 2015 and 2018, slashing .245/.298/.471 with 96 home runs and 293 RBI.
UT Jack Howell (63) played 61 games for the Astros in 1998 and 1999, with a .798 OPS.
RHP Luis Victorino has a 3.32 ERA with the Astros rookie-level FCL club, with 41 K’s in 40 2⁄3 innings and a .199 opposing batting average.