Astros Ready To 'Take A Run' At Gerrit Cole

As the Astros begin free agency and a pursuit of pitcher Gerrit Cole, owner Jim Crane said on Monday it’s possible that the club could exceed the luxury tax threshold next year for the first time. The Astros’ estimated payroll next year, according to Baseball-Reference.com, will be about $208 million (the threshold for 2020). Teams that carry payrolls above the set amount are assessed a Competitive Balance Tax on each dollar above it.

Houston Official Site

Mookie Betts Wins Gold Glove

Fenway Park has some of the more difficult right-field dimensions in all of baseball, but that hasn't stopped Red Sox superstar Mookie Betts from becoming the American League's defensive standard at the position in recent years. The 27-year-old was recognized with his fourth straight American League Rawlings Gold Glove Award on Sunday, topping the Angels' Kole Calhoun and the Astros' Josh Reddick for the honor.

Boston Official Site

Not Another No-No, But Justin Verlander Dazzles Again

In case you were wondering, Justin Verlander was thinking about a second straight no-hitter on Saturday night.

Houston Official Site

Free Agent Riches Await Marcell Ozuna, Who Can Still Be Great In Last Stretch With Cardinals

The season before they were traded from the Marlins to the Cardinals and Brewers, respectively, Marcell Ozuna performed better than fellow outfielder Christian Yelich.

Sporting News

Gerrit Cole's Return A Smaher: 12K's, Seven Shutout Innings

The Astros had suffered a hard-to-swallow loss the night before, so no one was in the mood to answer for another one. Gerrit Cole did his part by dominating the Tigers for seven innings Thursday night, and Alex Bregman and Michael Brantley powered an offense that was missing in action 24 hours earlier.

Houston Official Site

Gerrit Cole's Final Pitch Was How Fast In Nine Strike Out Win?

On his 110th and final pitch of the night, Gerrit Cole hit 101.1 mph in striking out Jarrett Parker to complete seven scoreless innings. The Cole train was picking up steam on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.

Houston Official Site

Yuli Gurriel's Blast Wins It After Josh Reddick Wakes Astros

Yuli Gurriel's game-winning homer into the Crawford Boxes in the 10th inning sent the crowd into a Friday night frenzy and sparked a celebration on the field. Perhaps the Astros’ biggest hit of the night, however, came a couple of innings earlier.

Houston Official Site

Giancarlo Stanton Breaks Out As Yankees Keep Rolling

Perhaps it has been easy to understate Giancarlo Stanton's expected importance to the Yankees' roster, as Aaron Boone seemed to suggest. After leading last year's club in homers and RBIs, the slugger sported a zero in both categories entering play on Saturday.

New York-A Official Site

Justin Verlander Overtakes Cy Young On Strikeout List

Talk about being in elite company.

Houston Official Site

Justin Verlander Stays Hot, Gives Astros Series Win

The Twins came out swinging and aggressive against Astros ace Justin Verlander on Wednesday night. That was evident when leadoff hitter Max Kepler turned on the second pitch of the game -- a well-located fastball up and in -- and fouled it off.

Houston Official Site

Josh Reddick Racking Up Hits With Oppo Approach

After making a concerted effort during Spring Training to start hitting the ball to the opposite field, Astros outfielder Josh Reddick is doing it exceptionally well and has gotten off to a terrific start at the plate.

Houston Official Site

Astros Had Trade In Place FOr Bryce Harper In July, But Nationals' Ownership Said No

Baseball​ is​ a game of what-ifs​ and near-misses,​ both​ on​ and​ off the​ field.

The Athletic

Mike Trout's 38th Home Run In Angels' Eighth Isn't Enough

For most of Saturday night, Angels pitching was doing just enough to hold off the vaunted Astros offense.

Anaheim Official Site

Sore Ankle Takes Josh Reddick Out Early Vs. Mariners

Astros right fielder Josh Reddick is listed as day to day after leaving Monday's 4-1 loss to the Mariners in the fourth inning. Manager AJ Hinch said Reddick was complaining about a sore right Achilles tendon, which meant the Astros weren't going to take any chances.

Houston Official Site

Justin Verlander Fans 11 As Astros Extend AL West Lead

Justin Verlander set the tone for the Astros, striking out seven of the first nine batters he faced Sunday afternoon. His seven strong innings continued his late-season dominance and push for perhaps another Cy Young Award.

Houston Official Site

Justin Verlander K's Ten, Makes History In Return To Detroit

There were loud ovations, a tip of the cap and even a scoreboard tribute video that was enough to make Justin Verlander deviate from his regimented pregame routine and stop in his tracks in the Comerica Park outfield prior to Monday's game against the Tigers and take it all in.

Houston Official Site

Justin Verlander Fans 11, But Astros' Offense Stymied

Another punchless performance by the Astros' offense at Minute Maid Park kept All-Star starter Justin Verlander still in search of career win No. 200.

Houston Official Site

Rich Hill's Solid Oakland Return Puts Dodgers Back In First

Grant Holmes is working his way back from a torn rotator cuff and hasn't pitched this year. Jharel Cotton missed the season with Tommy John surgery. Frankie Montas has split time between Oakland and Triple-A.

Los Angeles Official Site

What Do The Numbers Say We Should Expect From Dexter Fowler?

Today,​ on​ a podcast with Dan​ McLaughlin, Cardinals’​ president​ of​ baseball​ operations John​ Mozeliak​ critiqued​ outfielder​ Dexter​ Fowler, who​ is​​ scuffling in the second year of his five-year deal. Fowler has been starting to lose playing time, and Mozeliak seemed to suggest that this would continue if Fowler didn’t improve his effort level.

The Athletic

Astros Optioned Cionel Perez To Double-A Corpus Christi

Chandler Rome Twitter