The Houston Astros have clawed their way back to .500, reaching the milestone for the first time this season with a 40-40 record following a decisive two-game sweep over the Colorado Rockies.
The Astros' resurgence has been nothing short of remarkable. Beginning the season with an 0-4 start and later hitting a dismal 7-19 on April 25, the team's fortunes have dramatically turned around. Since entering June with a 25-33 record, Houston has managed to win 15 of their last 22 games, extending their current winning streak to seven.
A Rise from the Ashes
Spencer Arrighetti was instrumental in the Astros' most recent victory, holding the Rockies scoreless over seven innings and striking out a career-high 10 batters. His performance is just one highlight in a season riddled with adversity, particularly for Houston's pitching staff.
The Astros have been plagued by injuries this season. Right-handed pitcher J.P. France, who had a 7.46 ERA in five starts before being demoted to Triple-A, will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. France posted a respectable 3.83 ERA in 136 1/3 innings last year, making his loss a significant blow to the rotation.
Cristian Javier and José Urquidy were both lost to Tommy John surgery earlier this month, and the team also faces uncertainty around Justin Verlander's return from a neck issue, with no timetable provided for his comeback.
A Rotation in Flux
Manager Joe Espada highlighted the challenging rotation scenario, mentioning that Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are still working their way back from elbow surgeries they underwent last year. This has left the Astros' rotation with a 4.26 ERA, ranking them 18th in baseball, a marked decline for a team that has been among the bottom five teams in ERA for much of the season.
The situation led GM Dana Brown to reflect on the team's decisions: "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 told the team's pregame show, regarding one of their pitchers. "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."
Looking Ahead
Following an off-day on Thursday, the Astros will embark on a challenging 10-game road trip, facing the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins. This stretch includes a four-game series against the Blue Jays, and three-game series each against the Mets and Twins. This trip represents a critical juncture for the Astros as they aim to build on their recent momentum and close the 4.5-game gap that separates them from the division lead.
The road ahead is filled with uncertainties, particularly regarding the pitching rotation's health. However, the team has demonstrated resilience, transforming a bleak early season start into a competitive mid-season standing. If the Astros can maintain their winning trajectory, they may very well position themselves as strong contenders deep into the season.