Gerrit Cole was masterful in his return to the mound last night as the Astros took the game and the series from the Tigers (Houston Chronicle)
A game that also featured the MLB debut of Abraham Toro because the Astros want to see what he can do against big league pitching (The Athletic, $$$)
Adding him to the 40-man meant a DFA for Brady Rodgers though (MLB Trade Rumors)
Is Michael Brantley the most underrated hitter in baseball right now? (Astros.com)
Correa has expressed confidence after an MRI on his back (Houston Chronicle)
Meanwhile, Pressly will be out at least 4 to 6 weeks after knee surgery (ESPN)
And the Astros will need to figure out how to fill the hole his surgery leaves in the bullpen (Texas Sports Nation, $$$)
Even with all the injuries this season the Astros are right in the thick of the race for best record in baseball (Houston Sportsmap)
Forrest Whitley has faced some adversity on his road through the baseball system (The Runner Sports)
Check out the picture gallery from Ric Flair’s visit to Minute Maid (Mission Control)
The A’s are surging again in the second half and here’s how Bob Melvin laid the groundwork for that (Sporting News)
In light of new sanctions, MLB has banned players from playing in the Venezuelan Winter League (AP News)
Relievers used to be the better pitchers on an MLB staff, but that trend is changing (538 Sports)
Just ask old-timey pitcher Roger Clemens (Boston Herald)
Maybe it’s time for MLB to reconsider its domestic violence policy concerning playoff eligibility (Sports Illustrated)
The A’s may have pioneered Moneyball but it’s the Cleveland Browns who are benefiting from it now (The Ringer)