Welcome to the Weekend Boil!

Houston Astros News

Astros’ offense: Position by position (Chipalatta)

Need a late boost? Astros know they can call on Caratini

Astros split a series the hard way against the A’s. What we learned (HC)

Cam Smith’s workload, an All-Star logjam and recovering pitchers: Astros takeaways (NY Times)

Latest Astros injuries & transactions

Nick Kurtz beats Astros again. This time a walk-off vs. Josh Hader (HC)

AL West News

Where the Rangers stand after a tough series against Kansas City

Bats awaken as Yanks down Angels, halt 6-game skid (Deadspin)

A’s Defense Still a Concern (SI)

Prized Seattle Mariners Prospect Reaches Incredible Mark With High-A Club (SI)

MLB News

Jac’s first career HR gets silent treatment … but not his second!

How Quickly Should You Change Your Mind About Elite Pitching Prospects? (FG)

This stacked family has 3 — and soon 4 — pro ballplayers

Rockies Outright Keston Hiura (MLBTR)

Diamondbacks Sign Trevor Richards To Minor League Deal (MLBTR)

Rays reliever Bigge struck in face by foul ball, hospitalized for evaluation

Latest mock draft: Projecting Round 1 from the Draft Combine

Soto joins exclusive club with 1,000th career hit

Update on Your Recent Application to the Boston Red Sox (FG)

Braves say ‘zero’ chance Sale is traded at Deadline

Pirates’ Santana, Pham involved in incidents with fans

Injuries to Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill Have Put the Mets Rotation on the Spot (FG)

Houston Astros Birthdays

Juneteenth (Thursday)

RHP Collin McHugh (38)

LHP Bruce Chen (48)

2B Craig Smajstrla (63)

LHP Jerry Reuss (76)

3B Bob Aspromonte (87)

Friday

LF Carlos Lee (49)

OF Roiner Quintana (20) FCL Astros

C Paul Bako (53)

SS Dickie Thon (67)

Saturday

1B Justin Trimble (22) Fayetteville Woodpeckers

RHP Cole Hertzler (22) Fayetteville Woodpeckers

RHP Gene Pentz (72)

Sunday

RHP Roy Thomas (72)

RHP Miguel Ullola (23) Sugar Land Space Cowboys