The Houston Astros still have a lot to navigate before laying claim to an eighth-straight ALCS.
The Astros have three more games until the ALCS….
….and then two to three more, then another three to five more. Thirteen wins in total will bring the cup home to Houston, but first we gotta go to the Mistake on the Lake.
Houston Astros News
McTaggart On Astros Wild Card Series Rotation: Framber, Brown, Kikuchi (790)
QUARLES: Astros still standing as playoffs approach (Lufkin Daily News)
Division Rivals Jealous of Houston Astros’ Constant Success (SI) I know y’all frown on SI, but I love the title here.
Astros’ 2017 World Series hero Marwin González retires after two years in Japan (Houston Chronicle)
Here are the biggest factors that helped Yusei Kikuchi ascend to another level with Astros (SportsMap)
Bregman receives hero’s send-off in Astros’ last regular-season home game
AL West News
Mariners: Mariners eliminated from MLB playoff contention (Lewiston Tribune)
Halos: The Angels’ best path forward is through a prolonged tank (Halo Hangout)
A’s: ‘Will stick with me forever’: After 57 years, A’s say farewell with heartfelt win
Mallcops: Oakland day for Rangers’ Kumar Rocker, Jack Leiter a sign of growth (Dallas News)
MLB News
Dodgers’ 11th NL West title in 12 seasons ‘a tick sweeter’
Which Teams Are Best Equipped for the Playoffs? (FG)
White Sox Notes: Sizemore, Managerial Search, Crochet, Moncada (MLBTR)
Yankees crush O’s to clinch AL East: ‘We’re battle-tested for what’s ahead’
Jonathan Cannon Has Been a Promising Arm in a Dispiriting White Sox
Diamondbacks Activate Ryne Nelson, Recall Alek Thomas (MLBTR)
Ohtani achieves another rare feat: 400 total bases
The Weakest Positions on the Remaining NL Contenders (FG)
New MLB rules provide a boost; fans come back to more action (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
Previewing The 2024-25 Free Agent Class: Designated Hitter (MLBTR) maybe we should consider acquiring Justin Turner…at least he can’t hurt us then, right? RIGHT?
This Date in Baseball, Sept. 27 — Mark McGwire gives baseball a new magic number, hitting 70 HRs in a season (Cumberland Times-News)
Five straight games! Judge continues streak with HR No. 58
Potential October Difference Makers: American League (FG)
Dodgers optimistic for Freeman’s playoff status as ankle X-rays negative
Memories of the Oakland Coliseum (FG)
Houston Astros Birthdays
Friday (4)
RHP Doug Konieczny (73) was 7-18 with a 4.93 ERA in 44 games for Houston between 1973 and 1977.
RHP Jose Guedez (23) pitched to a 3.24 ERA in 16 appearances for the Asheville Tourists in this past season.
IF Gary Sutherland (80) played 21 games for Houston between 1972 and 1973, going 15-for-62.
RHP Dionel Villalobos (19) was 1-3 with a 4.56 ERA for the DSL Astros (Orange) this season.
Saturday (9)
OF Logan Cerny (25) slashed .180/.231/.287 with Corpus Christi after his promotion to Double-A this year.
IF Shay Whitcomb (26) is nine-for-41 in his first major league exposure.
RHP Enoli Paredes (29) was 3-3 with a 3.05 ERA over 37 relief appearances between 2020 and 2022 for the Astros.
RHP Jesus Nunez (19) had a 5.09 ERA in 17 2⁄3 innings for the DSL Astros (Orange) in 2024.
C/OF Héctor Giménez (42) was 0-for-2 in two plate appearances for the 2006 Astros.
RHP Charlie Kerfeld (61) compiled a 15-8 record with a 3.95 ERA over 171 innings of long relief with Houston between 1985 and 1990.
C Ronn Reynolds (66) was 17-for-102 in 38 appearances for the 1987 Astros.
PH Gene Ratliff (79) was 0-for-4 in four plate appearances for the 1965 Houston team.
1B/LF Dick Gernert (1928-2017) closed out his 11-season MLB career with a 10-game look for the 1962 Houston Colt .45s. He was five-for-24 with five walks.
Sunday (3)
LHP Jim Crawford (74) pitched 156 2⁄3 innings for Houston between 1973 and 1975, putting up a 4.02 ERA and a 5-9 record.
RHP Brett GIllis (25) struck out 13 in 7 1⁄3 innings for Houston’s minor leagues, but none since 2023.
SS Jeron Williams (24) had a .754 OPS this season with the Hooks.