Houston Astros Boiled Crawfish: June 28, 2024

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

The Astros and Mets recently hit the .500 mark after a less-than-stellar start to the season. The Astros were 12 games out of .500 and the Mets were 11 games out of .500. Even so, one of these two teams will finish the series at .500.

Houston Astros News

Carlos Mendoza and Joe Espada will experience a full circle moment during the Astros-Mets series (NY Times)

Ronel Blanco is Houston Astros’ first-half MVP (Houston Press)

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

Blockbuster trade between Cardinals and Astros would force Houston to sell (FS)

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

Was Justin Verlander’s injury at the start of the season the cause of the Astros’ latest rotation loss? (CP)

AL West News

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

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

Texas Rangers: O’s Slug fight their way to victory against the Rangers in their first meeting since the ALDS

Halos: Detroit Tigers bats blocked by rookie in 5-0 loss to LA Angels (Detroit Free Press)

MLB News

Good Vibes in SD? Vlad Jr. on the Road? Here Are 5 MLB Fascinations

Three American League teams expected to be sellers at the trade deadline (YB)

Jake Irvin stopped walking people. You’ll never guess what happened next. (FG)

The power of an image (FG)

We’re off to the post-season races (FG)

Double summits to Dingers Mountain (FG)

“I’m ready to play tomorrow”: Correa avoids serious injury on a field goal

Ohtani can’t be underestimated, right? (Yes)

Phillies on standby after Harper limps off field following game-ending groundout

The stealth All-Star candidate who makes his living the other way

Houston Astros Birthdays

Friday

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

OF Richard Hidalgo (49) played 813 games for Houston from 1997 to 2004, hitting .278/.356/.501 and hitting 134 home runs.

Left-handed pitcher Joe Sambito (72) pitched 536 innings for Houston from 1976-84, making the 1979 All-Star team and striking out 421 batters. Left-handed pitcher Greg Sims (78) went 1 for 6 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) had 6 of 27 hits for the Astros in 2011.

Right-handed pitcher 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 just five and going 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA.

C Otis Thornton (79) was 0 for 3 with an 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 RBIs on a .202/.294/.287 line.