If Houston goes 23-24, they'll finish 98-64. Here's what would have to happen for the Astros to lose the division:
Oakland: 34-14
Arlington: 41-7
Anaheim: 43-3
Seattle: Could win out and lose the division by four games.
Do your own math accordingly to project what other teams would have to do if the Astros went XX-XX. The Astros are officially at 100% to win the division.
Only one AL West team was in action last night: Anaheim lost to Boston 3-0.
*Big News of the Day was that the Astros are extending the nets. And if you're upset, then the decision was made by the organization with the sole intent of pissing you empathy-less idiots off.
Here’s how far down the line the new netting will go pic.twitter.com/qeiN7tEl2V— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 8, 2019
Never mind that the move could be 20% about fan safety and 80% protection from legal liability for failing to protect fans from Yordan Alvarez Rockets. I'm still for it. The fact that it's safer for thousands of more fans is great. By the way, the girl who got drilled in the Cubs game is still on anti-seizure medication but is improving. If you don't want the net, you probably don't care.
Notables approving of the Astros: Lance McCullers. The Astros:
Fan experience is always a top priority for the Astros. The Astros have followed Major League Baseball's guidelines regarding netting while providing fans with a choice as to whether they sit in areas with or without protective netting. These changes will improve the fan's experience and increase the number of seats behind protective netting. Fans will continue to have the option to sit in areas without netting.
By "improving the fan's experience" they mean "making sure you don't leave the game in an ambulance."
*Jake Kaplan says ($) Aaron Sanchez's work with Brent Strom is just beginning.
*MLB.com says that Wade Miley is quietly having a very good season. I don't how about "quietly" ...
*Check Chandler Rome's mailbag for the chances of re-signing Gerrit Cole, who gets let go when Peacock returns, Myles Straw's postseason roster spot, Forrest Whitley, and a potential matchup issue with the Dodgers.
*The only contender with an easier schedule than the Astros down the stretch is the Twins. Matt Kelly:
The Astros have dominated the A's, winning nine of their first 11 head-to-head matchups. Take at least three of these four games at the Coliseum (Aug 15-18), and Houston can really begin mapping out their stars' rest days before October.
*It's such a slow Astros news day that here's a story about Lance McCullers and puppies.
*Former Astros Great Tony Sipp cleared waivers and is now a free agent.
*Jon Tayler on how Charlie Morton went from Charlie Morton to Charlie F. Morton.
*Check out SABR's bio of Jose Cruz, who turned 72 yesterday. Happy birthday, Cheo!
*Dallas Keuchel, last night at Miami: 3.2IP, 10H/8ER, 4K:1BB, 3HR. He has a 4.83 ERA for Atlanta this season.
*Winners of six straight (including the series opener with Houston), the Cardinals are 2-6 since the Astros left town. You hate to see it.
*Dan Clark did a survey to find why actual fans are coming to fewer and fewer games.
*FanGraphs: What remains of Clayton Kershaw.
*White Sox wives got into it.
*The hard, historic roads that lead to .400.
*A Musical Selection: