Astros Crawfish Boil: July 8, 2024

Welcome to the Monday Crawfish Boil.

Houston Astros News

Tucker completes Houston’s All-Star trio with third selection

Astros ’24: Thoughts on a “holiday” weekend (Chipalatta)

Astros All-Star takeaways: Ronel Blanco’s omission and Jose Altuve’s decision (NY Times)

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader getting hurt by the long ball (Houston Chronicle)

Astros’ Kyle Tucker is an American League All-Star reserve, but Ronel Blanco is not (Audacy)

Speculation: An emergency Astros-Angels trade after Josh Hader gives up another walkoff (FS)

AL West News

A’s: Oakland Athletics fall short in series finale vs. Orioles (Sactown Sports)

Rangers: Langford and Heim both collected four hits apiece as the Texas Rangers completed a three-game sweep (Sports AL Dente)

Halos: Los Angeles Angels getting ‘bombarded’ with trade calls (Sportsnaut)

Seattle: Mariners get encouraging injury update on Julio Rodriguez (The Spokesman-Tribune)

MLB News

‘Grateful’ De La Cruz earns first career All-Star nod

Power Rankings: Top 5 clubs show resilience

Devers slugs 2 more HRs vs. Yankees in series clincher

Sunday Notes: Dylan Cease and Jason Benetti Have Discussed Art Museums (FG)

Orioles players believe team deserves more All-Star selections (YB)

Kevin Pillar likely to retire after season (YB)

Tracking Yandy Díaz’s Bat (FG)

Skenes makes All-Star history with nod a year after being No. 1 pick

2-time champ Alonso enters HR Derby looking to tie Griffey

Houston Astros Birthdays

OF Terry Puhl (68) hit .281 over 14 seasons with the Astros,

C Alan Ashby (73) hit .252 over 11 seasons with Houston.

RHP George Culver (81) was 14-13 with a 2.92 ERA in 136 relief appearances for the 1970 through 1972 Astros.

RHP Gary Kroll (83) pitched 23 ²⁄₃ innings for the 1966 Astros, with a 3.80 ERA.

OF Al Spangler (91) appeared in 422 games through Houston’s first four seasons, hitting .265.

SS Hector Nieves (21) is hitting .164 with the FCL Astros this year.

RHP Nic Swanson (25) is 2-5 with a 6.24 ERA for the Asheville Tourists.