The Astros swept the Angels last night behind Scott Kazmir and Jason Castro - be sure you check out the Masked Marvel's recap here. So the Angels lost, as did the Mariners and A's. The Rangers won, though. So the updated FanGraphs Playoff Odds calculator shows the Astros - now with Carlos Gomez - show the Astros with a 68.2% chance of winning the division and a 93.2% chance of making the postseason. Interestingly enough, the Astros chances of winning the World Series increased to 10.3% - meaning that in 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season, the Astros won the World Series in 1,030 of them. Only the Yankees, Nationals, and Dodgers have a higher WS%.
Game Links
Hero Jason Castro:
As long as I've been here, I don't really remember a time that it's been quite like this - the kind of electricity in the air with all the fans. Everyone is really excited to watch Astros baseball again.
Kazmir:
That felt great. I felt the love for sure. What more can I say? I'm just excited to be here.
Pujols helped Valbuena with some tips at 1B.
Trade Deadline Links
Drellich: The Astros aren't done
Crane and Luhnow might smell blood in the water
MLB Daily Dish (which has a history of having #Sources) says the Astros and Padres are involved in talks regarding Tyson Ross and Craig Kimbrel in a package that would include Jake Marisnick and Mark Appel.
Jeff Passan: The Astros and Padres are working on "something big."
The Yankees are interested in adding Kimbrel. The Astros are interested, but don't want to assume all the money on Kimbrel's contract. The asking price is high, but the Astros are at least interested in Aroldis Chapman.
Heyman: The Astros may be trying a "stealth move" for Kimbrel.
Gomez/Fiers Trade Links
Self-Plug: We wrote up the trade last night.
Chron: Traded Astros prospects see opportunity in Milwaukee.
Chron: The Astros and Brewers had been talking for a couple of weeks about Gomez
Chron: The Astros players are excited about adding Gomez.
ESPN: Astros may be division favorite after acquiring Carlos Gomez
NYT: Undone deal is Astros' gain. Luhnow:
I think it sends a message, not only to the players but to the fans, that we're going to put our money where our mouth is, take some of the resources we've accumulated and apply it towards winning games right now. We have a shot to get in the playoffs this year. We have a shot to do something in the playoffs - and we want to take advantage of it.
Other Links
Tyler Kepner: Carlos Correa is already a leader
Since 1950, only two players younger than 21 have reached 50 hits in fewer games: Roberto Clemente and Orlando Cepeda. Both are in the Hall of Fame.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
