Zero (0)
Houston got their magic number down to zero last night with four games yet to play.
It’s possible, probably likely even, that Joe Espada will choose to rest some of the guys who will be most important to postseason play. Definitely Yordan Alvarez, and possibly Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Yainer Diaz.
Houston Astros News
Division dynasty continues: Resilient Astros grab 4th straight AL West title
Postseason FAQ: What’s next for the Astros?
‘It’s in my DNA.’ Astros’ Joe Espada kept his cool all year, and now he’s a division-winning manager (Houston Chronicle)
Alvarez improving but timeline to return uncertain
Astros fans were saying the same thing after win over Mariners (Larry Brown Sports)
Happy to be here: Houston Astros’ Jason Heyward savors decisive home run in division clincher
AL West News
Rangers: Rangers Select Matt Duffy, Promote Dustin Harris (MLBTR)
A’s: As an era ends, the city that was home to the Oakland A’s comes to grips with their departure (Washington Post)
Mariners: Loss to Astros ends Mariners’ AL West hopes as attention shifts to Wild Card
Halos: 120 and holding: Chicago White Sox rally with 3 runs in the 8th for a stunning 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Angels (Chicago Tribune)
MLB News
Game-ending TRIPLE PLAY sends Padres to postseason!
Harris shows out as Braves pull within 1 game of Mets
Think Sports Are Boring? Try a Japanese Baseball Game (Thrillist)
How Does a Baseball Team Lose 120 Games? Every Way You Can Think Of (NY Times)
Torres’ baserunning blunder cuts Yankees’ rally short
Tommy John surgery is MLB’s necessary evil 50 years later: ‘We created this mess’ (USA Today)
Top of the Order: A List of Some Potential Managerial Candidates (FG)
The Reds Can’t Unring a Bell, but They Can Fire Him (FG)
Farhan Zaidi Discusses Job Security, Snell, Middle Infield (MLBTR)
Tigers fortify Wild Card standing with Skubal’s gem vs. Rays
Guardians clinch first-round bye behind Bibee’s dominant start
We’re ready to go’: O’s overcome setbacks to return to playoffs
Royals Notes: Lorenzen, Marsh, Harvey, McArthur (MLBTR)
Postseason Watch: Bracket, tiebreakers and more
The Strongest Positions on the Remaining NL Contenders (FG)
Houston Astros Birthdays
RHP David Weathers (55) was 1-4 for the 2004 Astros, with a 4.78 ERA.
RHP Ron Mathis (66) pitched 82 innings for Houston in 1985 and 1987, striking out 34 and walking 27.
RHP Mike Stanton (72) was 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA for the 1975 Astros.
IF Ray Busse (76) went 13-for-85 for Houston between 1971 and 1974.
C John Garcia (24) has a .383 career OBP in three seasons of minor league baseball. He was Houston’s 19th round choice in 2022.
1B Luis Encarnacion (22) has a .267/.301/.445 slashline between three levels of Houston minor league ball this season.