Crawfish Boil: April 30, 2024

Good morning and welcome to the Tuesday Boil.

Time for eggs, grits, and your morning links.

Houston Astros News

Loperfido set to join Astros ahead of series with Guards

Astros begin 3-game series at home against the Guardians (ABC)

How Astros look to jumpstart squad with these much-needed returns, roster moves (Sportsmap)

After slow start, Astros on upswing heading into Guardians series (Deadspin)

Framber Valdez’s return to Astros rotation could start of Houston’s turnaround (CTH)

Four reasons for the Houston Astros’ struggles (YB)

Astros promote Joey Loperfido, clouding Jose Abreu’s role (YB)

AL West News

A’s: Nevin homers in 2nd straight game, A’s beat Pirates 5-1 (NBC)

Halos: Angels score two on wild pitch and throwing error, beat Phillies 6-5 and snap 4-game skid (Chronicle-Tribune)

Blarts: Nationals bring 5-game road win streak into game against the Rangers (FOX)

M’s: Miller’s latest gem sets stage as Mariners work late-inning magic

MLB News

Paul Goldschmidt and the Crowd Below Replacement Level (FG)

Marco Gonzales Is Concerned With Changes in Baseball (FG)

Kepler feeling like himself as Twins’ winning streak reaches eight

In battle of heavyweight bats, O’s edge Yanks in pitchers’ duel

Redrafting the 2014 Draft class, 10 years later

Here is what’s behind Soto’s incredible start

Taillon’s gem, Morel’s clutch homer spoil Mets’ no-no bid

Everything you want (or need!) to know about Twins’ rally sausage

Predicting the All-MLB Team after the season’s first full month (tl;dr Altuve is on the first team, Tucker & Alvarez are on the second team)

Houston Astros Birthdays

1B Mark Saccomanno (44)

2B/3B Phil Garner (75)

LHP Mike Barlow (76)

LHP Colby Langford (22)

RHP Juan Soto (21)