The Royals snapped the Astros' 7-game win streak yesterday afternoon with a 6-1 win to prevent a Houston sweep. The Rangers beat the Red Sox - of course - the Angels beat the A's, and the Cardinals beat the Mariners. So here's the division:
Northwest Waxahachie: -
Houston: -10
Seattle: -11
Oakland: -16.5
Anaheim: -17
WC1: -2.5
WC2: -1.5
*Tonight's series-opener at Anaheim (9pm Central) will be on ESPN.
*Ian Kennedy struck out Jose Altuve twice in the game...the first time a pitcher has struck out Altuve twice in a game since last August.
*Altuve isn't focused on the MVP race:
MVP is like you have to do everything perfect. I'm not saying I wouldn't like it. I think everybody would like to get an MVP, but it's really hard. I'm going to keep playing hard. I think the best MVP you can get is be in the playoffs and win the World Series.
*Altuve's Iron Man streak will likely come to an end against Anaheim.
*The Astros lost a Doug Fister start for the first time since April.
*The Astros won't be DHing A.J. Reed often.
*Yep, Alex Bregman and Teoscar Hernandez are headed to Fresno following tomorrow's Texas League All-Star Game. Fresno begins a series at Salt Lake City on Thursday. McTaggart:
(Bregman's) promotion means it's realistic he could be in Houston at some point this year.
*Angels pitchers Garrett Richards and Andrew Heaney are hoping stem-cell treatment will help them avoid Tommy John surgery.
*From before last night's game against the Pirates: How Clayton Kershaw is putting together his best season.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
