The latest news on the Houston Astros and from around MLB:

It’s a good thing the Astros went and acquired all that starting pitching depth:

Starting pitching woes have led to the Astros leaning harder on their bullpen than any team in baseball:

Are the Astros missing their chance to extend Cam Smith?

While Astros pitchers are having big trouble with walks, they aren’t the only ones:

There is a strategy to challenging. The Astros lost both their challenges early and it cost them later in the game with some bad calls to their hitters:

What has teams signing young prospects to big extensions earlier than ever?

Bob Nightengale takes at look at MLB’s biggest surprises and disappointments this season:

Mike Trout is hitting .246 but he has 7 HR, several of the tape measure variety. Time for the Hype Train:

The San Diego Padres are about to be sold to a private equity firm owner for a record-setting price:

Mets GM taking heat for their bad start punctuated by an 8-game slide.

Jon Heyman on Mets manager, Padres Fernando Tatis Jr, FA SP Lucas Giolito, and Yankees pitching logjam:

At 37, there may not be much left in the tank for Mark Canha, but can’t blame him for trying: