AUGUST 9 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
HOUSTON ASTROS 88-73 · 1ST IN AL WEST
88-73 · 1ST IN AL WEST
Astros ace Justin Verlander (neck) scheduled for rehab start Houston Astros ace right-hander Justin Verlander is slated to make a rehab start Saturday at Triple-A Sugar Land as he continues his recover...
Red Sox take issue with pitching, while Astros seek more runs There’s nothing wrong with the Boston Red Sox offense, but the same can’t be said about the team’s pitching.The Red Sox enter Friday’s game...
AUGUST 8 • THESTATE.COM
Houston's Verlander set for a Triple-A rehab start in return from neck stiffness
Houston right-hander Justin Verlander is set for a rehab start with Triple-A Sugar LandAUGUST 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rangers, Astros go separate ways as stretch run to playoffs approaches in AL West
Texas manager Bruce Bochy and the Rangers won’t see the rival Houston Astros again this regular seasonAUGUST 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Justin Verlander - Beginning assignment Saturday Verlander (neck) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Impact After getting through Wednesday's bullpen session without any issues, Verlander has now been given the go-ahead to pitch in a game setting. He threw 37 pitches over two innings during a simulated game Sunday, though he has been able to surpass the 50-pitch mark during bullpen sessions. It's unclear how long the Astros plan on keeping the 41-year-old righty in the minors, but he figures to be in line for at least one more rehab outing after Saturday.
AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE
Red Sox vs. Astros Prediction, Odds, Picks - August 9
Preview the August 9 matchup between the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.AUGUST 8 • DATA SKRIVE
How to Watch Red Sox vs. Astros: TV Channel & Live Stream - August 9
Preview the August 9 matchup between the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros with recent trends, how to watch, livestream info, and more.AUGUST 8 • DATA SKRIVE
This breakout South African arm wants to break mold for MLB back home HOUSTON -- If you saw Tayler Scott in the hours leading up to the July 29 series opener against the Pirates, you would not know he was start...
AUGUST 8 • MLB.COM
Josh Hader - Locks down 24th save Hader struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to collect his 24th save of the season Wednesday against the Rangers.
Impact Pitching for the third day in a row, Hader needed just 11 pitches to lock down his 24th save of the season. The 30-year-old has has been excellent over his past five appearances, notching four saves while allowing just one hit and three walks over 4.1 scoreless innings. Hader owns a 3.75 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 77:18 K:BB across 50.1 innings this season, converting 24-of-25 save opportunities.
AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE
Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox Preview - 08/09/2024 This browser does not support the video element.
AUGUST 8 • MLB.COM
Yusei Kikuchi - Fans eight in victory Kikuchi (5-9) picked up the win Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out eight in 5.1 innings.
Impact Kikuchi was sharp Wednesday, tallying eight strikeouts while allowing just one extra-base hit -- a solo home run by Marcus Semien in the sixth inning. The southpaw has been excellent in his first two starts in an Astros uniform, pitching to a 3.27 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with an impressive 19 strikeouts in 11 innings. Even with the recent success, Kikuchi remains a volatile fantasy option due to his high walk rate -- the 33-year-old has issued multiple free passes in each of his past five starts, failing to pitch six innings in any of those appearances. He is currently scheduled for a road start in Tampa early next week.
AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE
Astros power up vs. slumping Rangers for series victory Victor Caratini and Yordan Alvarez each homered as the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 6-4 in the rubber match of a three-game series...
AUGUST 7 • KANSASCITY.COM
Astros earn crucial leg up on Rangers with Lone Star Series win ARLINGTON -- Yusei Kikuchi picked up his first win as a member of the Astros and was backed by an offense that got homers from Yordan Alvare...
AUGUST 7 • MLB.COM
Alvarez hits 117 mph homer, Astros beat Rangers 6-4 to take season series again
Yordan Alvarez hit a 117 mph homer for the Houston slugger’s hardest shot of the season, Yusei Kikuchi struck out eight pitching into the sixth inning and the Astros beat the Texas...AUGUST 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Game Story, Scores/Highlights - 08/07/2024 This browser does not support the video element.
AUGUST 7 • MLB.COM
Kyle Tucker - Still not able to sprint Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Tucker (shin) remains unable to sprint but has been jogging without issue, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact The Astros seem encouraged by Tucker's recent progress from a right shin contusion, but clearly he's not closing in on a return if he's not yet able to run full-bore. Tucker will continue to rehab in Houston for now rather than joining the major-league club on the road. He's been sidelined since early June.
AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE
Yordan Alvarez - Tallies 21st homer Alvarez went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run Tuesday against the Rangers.
Impact Alvarez slugged his 21st home run of the season and his first since July 21. His power has dipped significantly from past seasons -- his .230 ISO is 60 points below his mark in 2023 -- which has also significantly cut into his counting stats. While Alvarez remains a strong source of batting average, the rest of his line has suffered.
AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE
Chas McCormick - Out of Houston lineup McCormick is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact McCormick had started each of the previous three games but failed to record a base hit. The Astros will go with Yordan Alvarez, Jake Meyers and Mauricio Dubon as their starting outfield Wednesday.
AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE
Jon Singleton - Absent from lineup Singleton is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact Zach Dezenzo is getting the call at first base in Singleton's place and the rookie could have an opportunity to overtake the veteran on the depth chart at the position down the stretch. Singleton has slashed just .232/.316/.355 in 89 contests with the Astros this season.
AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE
Zach Dezenzo - Hitless in debut Dezenzo went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Tuesday against the Rangers.
Impact Dezenzo had his contract selected from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday and made his big-league debut the same day. He started at designated hitter and batted seventh in the order and could continue to see regular at-bats at a combination of first base and DH for the foreseeable future. Dezenzo's ability to contribute immediately is unclear as he had only 53 plate appearances with Sugar Land, though he has maintained high walk rates paired with some decent pop throughout his time in the minors.
AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE
Astros vs. Rangers Prediction, Odds, Probable Pitchers for Wednesday, Aug. 7 (Back Houston on Road) Betting odds, pick and prediction for the Houston Astros-Texas Rangers rubber match on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
AUGUST 7 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Josh Hader - Picks up one-out save Hader walked one in one-third of an inning Tuesday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Rangers.
Impact The Houston closer didn't look like he would be needed as his team cruised into the ninth inning ahead 4-0 and with Framber Valdez hunting for a no-hitter, but a two-out, two-run homer by Corey Seager changed the equation. Hader has been scored upon just once in his last 11 appearances, posting a 2.61 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB through 10.1 innings over that stretch, and his only blown save of the season came back on April 2.
AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE
Framber Valdez - Loses no-no in ninth Valdez (11-5) picked up the win Tuesday in a 4-2 victory over the Rangers, allowing two runs on one hit and three walks over 8.2 innings. He struck out five.
Impact The southpaw headed into the ninth inning with a chance to deliver his second career no-hitter, but after issuing a two-out walk to Josh Smith, Valdez's 107th pitch of the night got blasted into the right-field seats by Corey Seager. Valdez had to settle for his 12th quality start of the season, but he remains locked in, winning six straight decisions over his last eight outings with a 2.81 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 57:17 K:BB through 51.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Tampa Bay.
AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE
Rangers and Astros play in series rubber match
Both the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros are looking for a series win with a victory on WednesdayAUGUST 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
How to Watch Astros vs. Rangers: TV Channel & Live Stream - August 7
Preview the August 7 matchup between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers with recent trends, how to watch, livestream info, and more.AUGUST 7 • DATA SKRIVE
