*The Astros were off yesterday, as were the Rangers, but the A's and Mariners won and the Angels lost, so the Astros' division lead is now 11.5 games.
*While you might think that a June series against a team 12 games back doesn't pose much of an issue, Yu Darvish thinks otherwise:
Of course it's going to be very important for us. If we can win against them in this series, it's going to give us momentum going forward. If they win, they keep the momentum that they've had. So this is a key series against Houston.
*Terrifying if literal, A.J. Hinch said Carlos Correa is "becoming a monster right in front of our eyes."
*Jeff Sullivan: The Astros have become completely unstoppable. Fun little statistical note: Of the nine teams that started out 38-16, they averaged a .608 win% the rest of the season. Should the Astros do that they'll end up with a 104-58 record. If they perform at the same clip of the team with the worst rest-of-season win%, they'll be 94-68.
*Beyond the Box Score notes that Altuve's two-strike approach is costing him hits.
*At 19/4, the Astros are Bovada's favorites to win the World Series.
*Joel Sherman has some stats that make him (or you) question his (or your) baseball sanity
*Despite some issues, the stadium in downtown Fayetteville is on track to open on time.
*Check the unis Fresno wore last night in honor of the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
*Friend of AC and Crawfish Boxes writer Ryan Dunsmore was on The Ringer's MLB podcast yesterday.
*UNFORTUNATE: It looks like the Rangers will DFA Sam Dyson.
*Congratulations to Benevolent Owner Jim Crane, who got married last weekend. Click the link if you want the "who wore what" details.
*The Astros won the title over the Cubs. Oh, wait. That's Baytown's Little League. Never mind.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
