MLB
Plus notes on two homegrown players that Houston designated for assignment over the weekend.
Chandler Rome53
Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez continue to struggle for a team that has won four of its past five games.
Chandler Rome25
Alvarez hit two home runs and drove in three in Houston's 8-0 win over Toronto.
Chandler Rome13
Already one of the best hitters in the game, Alvarez still has areas in which he can step forward to fulfill an even greater role.
Chandler Rome7
The blowout blew up Houston’s pursuit of a second consecutive World Series title while leaving a city to wonder where this all went awry.
Chandler Rome209
Houston has scored fewer than five runs in five of its six playoff games at Minute Maid Park.
Chandler Rome39
The Astros won 8-5, cutting the Rangers’ series edge to 2-1. Once again Houston flexed the might of defending champions.
Cody Stavenhagen94
If the Astros had not fallen to the Rangers, 5-4, Alvarez’s dual blasts in Game 2 of the ALCS might have become part of postseason lore.
Ken Rosenthal120
Jose Altuve does deserve some blame for the Astros' loss, but seven innings' worth of wasted at-bats magnified his mental mistake.
Chandler Rome21
No more Silver Boots to award. The Rangers and Astros now have a heated, chippy rivalry — and a best-of-seven to crown a pennant winner.
Jamey Newberg161
The opening loss was frustrating, but the Twins still have a chance to take control of the series — if they can hit a good lefty.
Aaron Gleeman28
The 26-year-old slugger had his seventh multi-homer game in the playoffs and continues to demolish lefties brought in to face him.
Chandler Rome30
Never in any of the past five 162-game seasons have Houston’s playoff prospects felt so tenuous.
Chandler Rome69
The Astros' loss Tuesday puts the Rangers one game behind first place. Seattle is 1 1/2 games back and owns the tiebreaker over Houston.
Chandler Rome38
Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez have not started a game together since June 8, the day Alvarez suffered an oblique injury.
Chandler Rome and The Athletic Staff10
Houston’s ace is an All-Star, as is its most indispensable player.
Chandler Rome15
Houston said Alvarez exited in the third inning against Toronto with right oblique discomfort.
Chandler Rome and The Athletic Staff16
The Houston lineup has proven extremely top-heavy, and players like José Abreu, counted on for power, are delivering little thump.
Chandler Rome41
Dubón and Yordan Alvarez are opposites in stature, swagger and slugging percentage, but they share a goal — keeping the Astros afloat.
Chandler Rome88
Yordan Álvarez and Tyler Glasnow lead the newest group of injured players. Virginia Zakas of Inside Injuries analyzes the timelines.
Virginia Zakas, Inside Injuries18
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