The Houston Astros have finally found their footing, reaching a .500 record for the first time this season. Wednesday afternoon's game marked this milestone as the team recorded a 40-40 record by completing a two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies. This triumph extended their winning streak to an impressive seven games, a stark contrast to their rocky start.
The Astros began their season with a disheartening 0-4 run. Fast forward to April 25, and the team struggled with a 7-19 record. However, the Astros have shown resilience and significant progress since entering June with a 25-33 record, clinching victories in 15 of their last 22 games. This surge in performance has propelled them within 4.5 games of the division lead, providing a much-needed boost in morale and standings.
A Pitching Masterclass
A standout performance from Spencer Arrighetti was pivotal in Houston's latest win. Arrighetti held the Rockies' lineup scoreless across seven innings, striking out a career-high 10 batters. His stellar outing highlights the tenacity that the Astros have been striving to display throughout their turbulent season.
While Arrighetti's performance was a highlight, the Astros' rotation has faced its fair share of challenges. Right-handed pitcher J.P. France will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, following a difficult stretch this season where he posted a 7.46 ERA in five starts before being demoted to Triple-A. It's a stark contrast to his 3.83 ERA over 136 1/3 innings last year.
Injury Woes
The injury list doesn't stop there. The Astros have also lost Cristian Javier and José Urquidy to Tommy John surgery earlier this month. Additionally, Justin Verlander is currently sidelined due to a neck issue, with no clear timetable for his return. Manager Joe Espada has acknowledged the uphill battle, noting that Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are still on the mend from elbow surgeries last year.
"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," General Manager Dana Brown shared on 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."
Road Ahead
The Astros' rotation, posting a 4.26 ERA this year and ranking 18th in baseball, has been a point of concern. For much of the season, they have been among the bottom five teams in ERA. The rotation's struggles underscore the importance of the collective effort needed for Houston to maintain their momentum.
Following an off-day on Thursday, the Astros will embark on a challenging 10-game road trip, facing formidable opponents including the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins. The upcoming series against the Blue Jays extends to four games, while the contests against the Mets and Twins feature three games each.
The Astros' ability to leverage their current winning streak and handle the upcoming road challenges will be crucial in determining their trajectory for the rest of the season. Consistency and resilience will be key as they aim to build on their recent successes and overcome the setbacks that have plagued their roster.