Astros Reach .500, Extend Winning Streak to Seven Games
The Houston Astros have fought their way back to a .500 record for the first time this season. On Wednesday afternoon, they completed a two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies, achieving a 40-40 record and extending their winning streak to seven games.
This season has been anything but easy for the Astros. They began the year with a disheartening 0-4 start and found themselves with a 7-19 record by April 25. However, the team has shown resilience, clawing their way back into contention one game at a time. Entering June with a 25-33 record, the Astros have managed to win 15 of their last 22 games, positioning themselves within 4.5 games of the division lead.
The recent success has been powered by strong performances from key players. On Wednesday, Spencer Arrighetti held the Rockies scoreless over seven innings, striking out a career-high ten batters. The performance highlighted a promising future for the young pitcher and provided the Astros with much-needed stability in their rotation.
However, the road to recovery has not been without its challenges. The team's pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries. Right-handed pitcher J.P. France will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, after posting a disappointing 7.46 ERA in five starts this season before being demoted to Triple-A. Last year, France was a reliable arm with a 3.83 ERA over 136 1/3 innings.
The injury woes don’t end there. The Astros have also lost Cristian Javier and José Urquidy to Tommy John surgery earlier this month. Adding to the turmoil, Justin Verlander is currently sidelined with a neck issue, and there is no clear timetable for his return.
General Manager Dana Brown elaborated on the difficult decisions the team has faced regarding their rotation. "When he got hurt in spring training and he felt the discomfort, we were really pressing to get him back and maybe we may have rushed him a little bit," Brown said about an unnamed pitcher during the team’s pregame show. "Especially with Verlander being out at the same time, we were trying to really plug holes in this rotation. He felt pretty good and so we pressed him a little bit and he tried to pitch through it. I think this time we're probably going to be more patient."
Meanwhile, Manager Joe Espada provided updates on other recovering pitchers. "Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are still working their way back from last year's elbow surgeries," Espada mentioned earlier this week. Their return could be crucial for a rotation that currently ranks 18th in baseball with a 4.26 ERA, having been among the bottom five teams in the ERA category for much of the season.
The Astros' resurgence comes at a critical juncture as they prepare for a grueling 10-game road trip following an off-day on Thursday. They will face the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins. The Blue Jays series will be a four-game set, while the Mets and Twins series will each span three games.
The Astros have shown resilience through adversity, and their climb back to a .500 record is a testament to their tenacity. As they head into a challenging road trip, eyes will be on whether their recent form can carry them closer to the top of the division.