Houston Astros Crawfish Boil: June 28, 2024

Welcome to the weekend and a three-game showdown with the most Astros-like team in the National League.

Both the Astros and the Mets have recently reached .500 after a less-than-awesome start. The Astros were 12 games below .500, and the Mets were 11 games down. Despite that, one of these two teams will finish the series back below .500.

Houston Astros News

Carlos Mendoza, Joe Espada to experience full-circle moment during Astros-Mets series (NY Times)

Ronel Blanco is Houston Astros First Half MVP (Houston Press)

Josh Hader reminder of dangerous trade deadline for promising Mets (NY Post)

A blockbuster Cardinals-Astros trade that would force Houston to actually sell (FS)

How Houston Astros resurgence could impact plans for key players (SM Houston)

Is Justin Verlander’s early-season injury to blame for Astros’ latest rotation loss? (CTH)

AL West News

A’s: Athletics aim to stop road skid, face the Diamondbacks (FOX)

M’s: The Griffeys, the LeBrons, and the joy of father-son teammates (Seattle Sports)

Texas Rangers: O’s slug their way to statement win over Rangers in first meeting since ALDS

Halos: Detroit Tigers’ bats stymied by rookie in 5-0 loss to L.A. Angels (Detroit Free Press)

MLB News

Good vibes in SD? Vlad Jr. on the move? Here are 5 fascinations in MLB

Three AL teams that must be sellers at the trade deadline (YB)

Jake Irvin Stopped Walking People. You’ll Never Guess What Happened Next. (FG)

The Power of a Picture (FG)

We’re Off to the Postseason Races (FG)

Summiting Doubles to Dingers Mountain (FG)

‘I’m ready to play tomorrow’: Correa avoids serious injury on hit by pitch

Ohtani can’t possibly be underrated, can he? (Yes)

Phils in holding pattern after Harper limps off the field following game-ending groundout

The stealth All-Star candidate who’s making a living going the other way

Houston Astros Birthdays

Friday

RHP Michael Feliz (31) was 12-3 with a 5.13 ERA over 98 relief appearances for Houston from 2015 through 2017. He struck out 11 batters per nine, with a 3.67 FIP.

OF Richard Hidalgo (49) played in 813 games for Houston from 1997 through 2004, slashing .278/.356/.501 with 134 home runs.

LHP Joe Sambito (72) pitched 536 innings for Houston from 1976 through 1984, making the 1979 All-Star Team and striking out 421. LF Greg Sims (78) was one-for-six for the 1966 Astros.

RHP Fred Gladding (1936-2015) saved 76 games for Houston between 1968 and 1973.

Saturday

LHP Brooks Raley (36) pitched 65 innings for Houston in 2020 and 2021, going 2-4 with a 4.57 ERA.

2B/OF Joe Inglett (46) was six-for-27 for the 2011 Astros.

RHP Tony McKnight (47) was 5-1 with a 3.91 ERA for the Astros in 2000 and 2001.

RHP Abel Mercedes (22) has a 1.71 WHIP in 21 innings for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.

Sunday

RHP Rogelio Armenteros (30) struck out 18 in 18 innings for the 2019 Astros, walking only five and going 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA.

C Otis Thornton (79) was 0-for-3 with one RBI for the Astros in 1973.

1B/OF Dave Roberts (1933-2021) appeared in 77 games for the Colt .45s in 1962 and 1964, racking up 17 RBI on a .202/.294/.287 line.