The Launch Angle

The Astros Launch Briefing: August 31, 2026 – Yordan, Hinch, Brown, Burrows, Hancock, Griffin, Wetherholt, Burton, Anthony

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August 31, 2026

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.

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Houston Astros birthdays

RHP Tom Dukes (84)

RHP Austin Pruitt (37)

RHP Ronel Blanco (33)

Feature photo from Astros on X, Source Link

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mhatter106

1 day ago

Ok analytics has gone too far

Barilla has a patent on "Pasta with a Novel Form," basically rigatoni but with ridges that spiral between 45° and 58°. They claim that these more tightly wound spirals make for better-tasting pasta. I wanted to see if this advanced technology was available to American consumers. (1/2)

— Jeff Steck (@jefstec.bsky.social) 2026-08-31T16:32:43.731Z

Precision testing of noodles from Barilla America shows that they are still manufacturing the inferior noodles of the past, with a spiral angle of only about 29°. Sadly, the future of rigatoni has yet to reach American shelves.(2/2)

— Jeff Steck (@jefstec.bsky.social) 2026-08-31T16:32:43.732Z

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I don’t think I’m the face of the city or the Houston Astros. I’m just another guy who is playing hard to make dreams come true.”

Jose Altuve

LATEST COMMENTS

mhatter106 on The Relief Pitchers Need Relief, and Are Getting Ronel Blanco Instead: White Sox at Astros, 9-1-26, 7:10 CT Game 139 PreviewSeptember 1, 2026
Prospero ano y felicidad
Clack on The Relief Pitchers Need Relief, and Are Getting Ronel Blanco Instead: White Sox at Astros, 9-1-26, 7:10 CT Game 139 PreviewSeptember 1, 2026
It turns out that Burrows, who was the presumed starter today, had shoulder pains yesterday. Thus, Blanco gets the start.
Ragtime on The Relief Pitchers Need Relief, and Are Getting Ronel Blanco Instead: White Sox at Astros, 9-1-26, 7:10 CT Game 139 PreviewSeptember 1, 2026
Sorry. It’s my dark side.
Ragtime on The Relief Pitchers Need Relief, and Are Getting Ronel Blanco Instead: White Sox at Astros, 9-1-26, 7:10 CT Game 139 PreviewSeptember 1, 2026
That’s better than the new Padres owner. A blind singer from Puerto Rico. How fun is that?
mhatter106 on The Relief Pitchers Need Relief, and Are Getting Ronel Blanco Instead: White Sox at Astros, 9-1-26, 7:10 CT Game 139 PreviewSeptember 1, 2026
i think it’s teams that are currently above 500 now, so the april sweep of the red sox counts even…

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The Launch Angle

The Astros Launch Briefing: August 31, 2026 – Yordan, Hinch, Brown, Burrows, Hancock, Griffin, Wetherholt, Burton, Anthony

It’s the Monday Launch!