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The Crawfish Boxes

Astros baseball: we've got uniforms and everything.

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Astros vs. Rockies Game Thread: Game 19, 4/15/2026

The Houston Astros (7-11) host the Colorado Rockies (6-11) for the second game of a three game series on Jackie Robinson Day. RHP Spencer Arrighetti (season debut) will make his first Major League start of the season tonight opposite the 15-year MLB veteran LHP Jose Quitana (0-0, 4.15 ERA) and the Rockies. TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP […]

Astros Injury Updates 4/15/2026

Today, the Houston Astros released updates on many of the 13 players they have on the Injured List: • RHP Cody Bolton (right mid-back inflammation) was placed on the IL today and is currently not throwing. • RHP Hunter Brown (right shoulder sprain), RHP Tatsuya Imai (right arm fatigue) and RHP Cristian Javier (right shoulder […]

With Abreu Struggling, Astros Will Go Closer by Committee

Desperate for a win and clinging to a 7-6 lead over the Rockies on Tuesday night, Joe Espada sent Bryan King back to the mound to try to secure the game’s final three outs. Bryan Abreu, the team’s most accomplished healthy reliever, sat on a bench in the bullpen while Enyel De Los Santos, a […]

Astros Prospect Report: April 14th

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (10-6) lost 8-3 (BOX SCORE) Sugar Land got on the board in the first inning on a Biggio bases loaded walk. Mancini started for Sugar Land but struggled with command as he walked four and allowed […]

MLB

Is It Time Astros Replace Joe Espada & Dana Brown?

I will always begin with a mea culpa. If there is anything I detest in analysts and commentators is a lack of intellectual honesty. I was fully on board when the Astros hired Joe Espada as manager and Dana Brown as general manager. Saying anything otherwise would be a lie. We knew more about Espada […]

Who’s to Blame for the Astros’ Slow Start?

Astros fans, who do you blame for the slow start to the season? I’ve written several times that I’m not ready to panic just yet, but I’d be lying if I said there isn’t some real concern. After all, this team currently holds the worst record in Major League Baseball, and the issues aren’t isolated […]

Baseball Legends on the Legendary Jackie Robinson

The number 42 is prominently displayed in every stadium across MLB.  On this date 29 years ago, acting commissioner Bud Selig casually informed some 57,000 fans at the old Shea Stadium that Jackie’s iconic number would be retired throughout baseball.    For many (me included) this proclamation carried more significance than playoff expansion, the advent of […]

MLB

Astros vs Rockies Game Thread: Game 18, 4/14/2026

The Astros (6-11) return home tonight to begin a 3-game series vs. the Colorado Rockies (6-10) as they seek to end an 8-game slide. LHP Colton Gordon will make his first start of the season as he takes on Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen. TONIGHT’S ASTROS STARTER: LHP Colton Gordon will make his first start of […]

Hader Feels Good After First Live BP

Astros closer Josh Hader took an important step toward a return to action by throwing a live batting practice session before Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.  Facing hitters for the first time since August, the six-time All-Star threw 20 pitches to Taylor Trammell and Brice Matthews. Hader hasn’t pitched this season due to left […]

Burrows Bombed as Astros Lose 8th Straight, Swept by Mariners

The 6-2 defeat at T-Mobile Park completed a 4-game sweep by the Mariners, the first time they have swept the Astros in a 4 game series since August 2018. Two things have hallmarked this season for the Houston Astros thus far: injuries and pitching woes. Both were on display this afternoon when the Astros fell […]

Astros vs. Mariners Game Thread: Game 17, 4/13/2026

The Houston Astros (6-10) will look stop a seven-game losing streak this afternoon as they look to salvage the series finale in the final game of a 10-game road trip against the Seattle Mariners (7-9). RHP Mike Burrows (1-2, 5.63 ERA) will be on the mound for the Astros, opposite RHP George Kirby (1-2, 3.60 […]

In Memory of Phil Garner: Reflecting on the Astros First World Series Run

In memory of former Astros player and manager Phil Garner, this is a piece I previously wrote last year for The Sporting News on his reflection on the Astros first World Series run in 2005, twenty years after. (This article was written for The Sporting News by Craig Larson Jr. and the original link can […]

Astros Prospect Report: Apil 12th

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (10-5) won 2-1 (BOX SCORE) Alexander got the start for Sugar Land and turned in another good outing allowing 1 run over 6 innings of work. The Sugar Land offense got on the board in the […]

In The Lab: Breaking Down Astros Bullpen Usage

It would be difficult to assert that any road trip has gone worse for the Astros. It started with taking one of six games from two of the worst teams in baseball. It ended with a four game set against the division rival Mariners. It is not officially over even as you are reading this, […]

Houston Astros Mourn Passing of Former Player & Manager Phil Garner

The Houston Astros released the following statement on former player and manager Phil Garner, who passed away yesterday after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 76 years old:  “Phil Garner had a tremendous impact on the Houston Astros as both a player and manager. On the field, he spent seven seasons with the […]

Astros vs. Mariners Game Thread: Game 16 4/12/2026

The Houston Astros (6-9) look to stop a 6-game slide as they play their 3rd of 4 games in Seattle against the Mariners (6-9) at T-Mobile Park. RHP Cody Bolton (0-0, 3.68 ERA) will be on the mound for the Astros opposite RHP Logan Gilbert (0-2, 5.40 ERA) and the Mariners. ABOUT BOLTON: RHP Cody […]

How Much Longer Can Astros Wait for Bryan Abreu to Get Right?

Abreu suffered yet another late inning failure last night in taking the loss against the Mariners. At this point, it’s kind of past ugly. This is full blown concern. What is wrong with Bryan Abreu? Abreu has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball for the last four seasons. He’s recorded at least […]

Astros Prospect Report: April 11th

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (9-5) won 3-2 (BOX SCORE) Ullola started for Sugar Land and allowed 1 run over 2.2 innings before leaving with an injury. It appeared to be leg related and not arm related. Fleury went the next […]

Astros vs Mariners Game Thread: Game 15 – 4/11/2026

The Houston Astros (6-8) are in Seattle (5-9) for the second game of a four-game series with the Mariners as they seek to end a five-game slide. RHP Lance McCullers Jr. will be on the mound for the Astros opposite RHP Luis Castillo and the Mariners. ABOUT MCCULLERS: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. is set to […]

Christian Walker Out of Lineup Tonight

Christian Walker is not in the Astros starting lineup tonight. He appears to tweak something in last night’s game: This was something listed in today’s Crawfish Boil as a situation to watch. Walker did attempt to get ready to play tonight: Through 14 games and 53 AB, Walker is batting .321 with a .390 OBP […]

Astros Prospect Report: April 10th

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (8-5) won 5-2 (BOX SCORE) Lambert started for Sugar Land and pitched really well allowing 1 run over 6 innings while striking out 8. The offense got on the board in the bottom of the 6th […]

MLB