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How Astros surging offense could be primed to explode at just the right time

How Astros surging offense could be primed to explode at just the right time
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How Astros surging offense could be primed to explode at just the right time

The Houston Astros appear to be getting back on track when it comes to their offensive production. They've been pretty average for most of the season, but they now find themselves in the Top 10 in slugging, OPS, and home runs.

And don't look now, but Michael Brantley is expected to return to the lineup in the next couple of days, and Jose Altuve hit for the cycle on Monday night against Boston.

With that in mind, what should we expect from the Astros lineup moving forward? Also, where will Brantley hit in the lineup? We doubt Dusty will move Bregman out of the number two spot with him hitting so well recently. So we have to think Brantley will likely hit sixth, with a right-handed bat sliding in at number five after Kyle Tucker.

But with Dusty calling the shots, who really knows?

Be sure to watch the video above as we break it all down!

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The Angels beat the Astros, 4-1. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.

Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.

The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.

Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.

Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.

Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.

Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.

Key moment

Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.

Key Stat

Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.

Up next

Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.

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