Keuchel:
I felt like today was the first time, even through this whole [winning] stretch that I've really been able to command both sides of the plate - fastball, both sides. The only thing lacking was a few sliders to Romine.
The Astros have scored a total of six runs in Keuchel's last three starts - and only three runs when he has actually been in the game over 21 innings.
*Bregman came about three feet short of knocking a grand slam as his first major league hit. But he strung together three good at-bats (that 2nd AB was meh) and played really good defense at 3B. Bregman, on his debut:
It felt better than I thought it would feel. It felt amazing. It's the most fun I've ever had.
*Brian T. Smith writes about the bright future of the franchise.
*From former LSU baseball reporter Randy Rosetta, it's no surprise Bregman fast-tracked it to the majors.
Here's a Hawt Take from New York Post columnist Kevin Kernan:
My read on the Astros-- overrated— Kevin Kernan (@WheresKernan) July 26, 2016
*Jeff Luhnow is seemingly okay with acquiring a rental before the August 1 trade deadline, preferably a starting pitcher. Luhnow:
...we have a good team and there's no reason to do anything foolish at this point. We're in constant communication with all the clubs that have made players available or potentially will, and we're going to evaluate each opportunity on a case-by-case basis.
*A.J. Reed was 3x4 with two doubles and a homer. Joe Musgrove threw 7IP, 6H/2ER, 7K:1BB in the Grizzlies' win. In his last four starts, Musgrove has thrown 25IP, 20H/5ER, 29K:2BB.
*Some Astros fans started a GoFundMe to buy out Carlos Gomez's contract. But it's all wrong. The $9m they're seeking to raise is for his entire 2016 salary, not the pro-rated number it is by now - somewhere around $4m. I declare this invalid.
*Minute Maid security wouldn't let a hardcore fan bring his cane into the park, so they gave him free tickets.
*Chris Sale said the White Sox put business ahead of winning, and so he cut up the jerseys.
