Welcome to the Launch Briefing, a daily feature, where you will find a roundup of news and interesting stories from the Astros clubhouse and from around the league.
Discuss and share in the comments!
It’s the Monday Launch!
Houston Astros News
Brown backs Espada (Ath)
Imai says he has a new routine (Chron)
Imai set for rehab start on Tuesday (AP)
AL West News
A’s reinstate Rooker (TR)
M’s win in walkoff to sweep series (ST)
Dallas gets good sign from Langford in rehab (DN)
MLB News
What comes next for Cora? (CBS)
Mets option Pham (NYP)
O’s DFA Suarez (ESR)
Houston Astros birthdays
C Tony Eusebio (59)
IF Pedro Feliz (51)
RHP Runelvys Hernández (48)
IF J.D. Davis (33)
Feature photo from Astros on X, Source Link
Speaking of what’s been going on with Boston and how the FO mangled the Devers situation last year, I hadn’t realized how bad Devers has been this season. It’s been less damaging to have Bryan Abreu on your team than Devers. 😳
Yordan’s WAR is 40% higher than the total of all other 14 AL team’s “leading” DH’s WARs combined.
Let’s see what Dana Brown is saying:
In 2024 I was still fairly bullish on the Astros’ ability to rebound from a terrible start to the season. I don’t feel quite the same way this year–though I try to remain hopeful. I guess we will find out if Espada’s calm approach is the right reaction.
On this off day, let’s check our ranks:
Oh, the Astros are #1 in the AL in runs, batting average, OBP, SLG, OPS, wRC+.
And oh, the Astros are last in the AL in ERA, FIP, xFIP, BB/9, HR/9.
Fantastic.
Last in ERA. Sigh. (In one of the GTs somebody suggested offering a chance to pitch an inning as a fan give-away. I think they were kidding….)
One more thing. Wonder what Yordan’s BA would be if he was batting against us?!?
All that offense without Peña, Myers, and Loperfido. Even Little Nicky is missed at times.