So the Astros are 7.5 behind the Ramgers, 2.5 ahead of the Mariners in the division. And they're 1.0 behind the 1st WC, and 0.5 behind the 2nd WC spot.
*FanGraphs has the Astros at a 25.7% chance to win the division and a 32.5% change of a Wild Card spot. That 32.5% Wild Card chance is the highest in the AL.
*Will Harris will make his All-Star debut and Jose Altuve gets his 4th All-Star nod. Altuve joins Biggio as the only Astros to start two consecutive All-Star Games. One more All-Star selection and Altuve will tie Lance Berkman for 2nd in team history. Biggio leads the franchise with seven ASG nods. Harris:
I'm not going to take it for granted. I don't know if I'll ever get another opportunity like this again. I'm going to soak it in. I'm going to have a big smile on my face for a few days. It should be a lot of fun.
Harris is the first Astros reliever to make an All-Star team since Brad Lidge in 2005.
*George Springer is one of the biggest All-Star snubs, writes David Schoenfield. But he is part of the Final Vote thing.
*Hinch wants to give Altuve and Springer a day off before the All-Star break.
*Over his last 25 games, Ken Giles has a 2.30 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 23.1IP.
*FanGraphs does a deep dive into AL Center Fielder hitter contact quality. Basically, if Gomez could cut his strikeouts, he'd be Adam Jones...
With a league average K rate, he'd be about a league-average performer, or for his position, a little better. Instead, he's been the definition of replacement-level offense.
*Fresno's Brady Rodgers will start the Triple-A All-Star Game for the PCL on July 13.
*2016 4th Round pick Brett Adcock is out for the season after suffering a knee injury while fielding a bunt.
*From the NYT: Where players go to vent.
*Yahoo: How scouts got Corey Seager wrong
*Pittsburgh's Jung Ho Kang is under investigation for sexual assault after a Pirates/Cubs game in Chicago.
*If it makes you feel better about the Rangers thing:
The #Indians, on verge of winning 11th consecutive game vs. #Tigers this season; have outscored them 76-24. They lead 11-1 tonight in 8th— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 6, 2016
