Welcome to the Thursday Boil!
With nothing to lose on Wednesday, the Astros lost.
A lot of Houston’s miseries from yesterday can be tied directly to fielding. More exactly, it can be tied to Shay Whitcomb’s fielding. I don’t remember seeing more than three errors attributed to one fielder, and Whitcomb finished his night with four, and he only played six innings at third base.
Houston Astros News
Astros 2024: Anatomy of a division championship (Chipalatta)
Astros’ Triple-A club sweeps its way to first Pacific Coast League crown
Here’s the lowdown on the Houston Astros’ potential Wild Card foes (SportsMap Houston)
Pedro León, Trey Cabbage power Astros’ Space Cowboys to championship (Houston Chronicle)
Astros’ great Alex Bregman gesture during potential final regular season home game (ClutchPoints)
AL West News
Mariners: ‘Really important for us’: Mariners stave off elimination with big win
Rangers: Semien tallies 1,500th career hit with his journey in mind
Angels: White Sox remain at 120 losses as Benintendi singles in 10th for 4-3 win over Angels (Stamford Advocate)
Sacramento: Athletics fans prepare for final game at Oakland Coliseum: ‘Everyone’s paying the price’ (USA Today)
MLB News
Guardians playfully tease Reds after bunt breaks up perfecto in 7th
‘Opposite of sluggish’: Post-clinch O’s stay hot in the Bronx
Craig Breslow Talks Red Sox’s Offseason (MLBTR)
Which Teams Are Best Equipped for the Playoffs? (FG)
MLB’s expanded playoffs are keeping more fans engaged as the regular season hits the final stretch (AP)
A’s owner John Fisher’s letter sparks inspired news anchor response (USA Today)
Why the Royals Were Cursed (FG)
Gallen delivers right on time to help D-backs bounce back
Pirates Release Rowdy Tellez, Michael A. Taylor (MLBTR)
Judge hits 57th as Domínguez deals with learning curve
Royals inch closer to playoff as pitching staff reaches milestone
Bo Bichette To Undergo Surgery On Fractured Finger (MLBTR)
‘That was awesome’: Jobe fires flawless 9th in MLB debut
The Strongest Positions on the Remaining AL Contenders (FG)
Houston Astros Birthdays
C Rich Gedman (65) hit .202 in 40 games for the 1990 Astros.
LHP Bobby Shantz (99) started his career in 1949 with the Philadelphia Athletics, and stayed with them through their move to Kansas City. In 1962, he started three games for the brand-new Houston Colt .45s, going 1-1 with a 2.62 ERA.
RHP Jaime Melendez reached Double-A for the Astros this season. He pitched 15 2⁄3 innings at that level, with a >10 ERA.