One of my morning habits is reading the daily newsletter in my inbox from Baseball-Reference. The Astros are my favorite team, yes, but I also like to stay plugged in with what is going on around the game. Doing so at least makes me a more informed fan.
The newsletter is also more enjoyable when my favorite team is doing pretty well in the standings lately.
Make no mistake, the Astros have been the best team in baseball not only in the past two weeks, but the entire month of June (16-6). A pair of back-to-back shutouts against a really good Phillies team this week has certainly helped the vibes around this team. The past month has been an incredible reminder what can happen when the schedule softens and a team enters a hot streak, even when the competition improves as it did this week against the Phillies.
Frankly, I had my concerns about the Astros and still do to some extent. The lineup is hitting better, but it desperately needs another left-handed bat in addition to a healthy Yordan Alvarez. The bullpen remains good shape, although the rotation can’t really lose anyone else before reinforcements arrive, externally or from the IL. Through the middle of May, this team looked like a middling one, not good enough to be a top contender but not bad enough to warrant selling. But the Astros did what all good teams are supposed to do: take advantage of an easier schedule when it occurs. And they have done exactly that.
Looking ahead, this current series against Philadelphia, and the upcoming sets against the Cubs and Dodgers, are a good test to see how this roster stands alongside their contemporaries. There is a three-game set against the Rockies in the mix, so hopefully what we saw throughout June carries forward into July.
Dana Brown and the front office remain in a wait-and-see mode with this roster. These games are providing insight into what the organization can realistically fine-tune. adding another starter, another reliever, and left-handed bat should be on the table as the trade deadline draws closer. Of course, they are also waiting on how the reinforcements (Cristian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti, Luis Garcia, and J.P. France) look once they return to game settings on their rehab assignments. The starting rotation remains an area that could stand some improvement, although I certainly don’t have many complaints about how Brandon Walter, Colton Gordon, and Ryan Gusto have pitched considering the circumstances. But you have to wonder how long they can keep up this current pace in the second half of the season. Technically, today is the 81st game of the season, so we’re halfway finished.
Overall, the Astros are in a favorable spot at this point the season. They hold a 5 1⁄2 game lead over the Mariners for the AL West lead. Playoff odds are 92.9%, with a 75.6% chance of winning the division. Things can change quickly, though. But if reinforcements arrive as hoped for, this team is set up nicely for another possible postseason run in October.