How Houston Astros latest statement series holds critical keys to returning to championship form

CLOSING THE GAP

The Houston Astros recorded a huge series win against the Texas Rangers this week, which now has the team within striking distance to reclaim the lead in the AL West.

Kyle Tucker, Jose Abreu, and Chas McCormick continue to spark the team's offense, and Yordan Alvarez looks to be getting closer to returning from his oblique injury.

However, Cristian Javier's recent struggles have reached an all-time high, as he appears broken. It's hard to have any level of trust with him right now. He's surrendered 18 earned runs in his last three appearances.

With the All-Star break just around the corner, it may benefit him the most to get some rest and work on his mechanics. Pitching again before the break could make things even worse. Something is clearly off. His strikeouts are way down, with only 6 in his last three starts.

Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss what this huge series win means for the Astros moving forward, and much more!

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The Astros beat the Twins, 10-3. Composite Getty Image.

Jose Altuve and rookie Jacob Melton drove in three runs each as the Houston Astros jumped on Chris Paddack early and cruised to a 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

Paddack (2-6) tied career highs by allowing 12 hits and nine runs — eight earned — in just four innings for his third straight loss.

Houston rookie starter Colton Gordon (2-1) gave up six hits and two runs with five strikeouts in a career-high six innings.

Jeremy Peña tied a season-high with four hits and rookie Cam Smith had two hits and two RBIs as the AL West-leading Astros won their third straight.

Willi Castro, Royce Lewis and Ty France all hit solo homers for the Twins, who were blown out for the third time in four games after losing to Texas 16-4 Tuesday and 16-3 Thursday.

Lewis, who missed the start of the season with a hamstring strain, pulled up as he was running to first base on a single in the ninth inning and was replaced by a pinch-runner. There was no immediate word on his injury.

The Astros got to work early in this one. The bases were loaded with two outs in the first when Smith hit a two-run single to center field to make it 2-0. Melton followed with a single to right field to drive in another run.

There were runners on first and third with one out in the second when Altuve’s double scored two to make it 5-0.

The Twins loaded the bases with two outs in the third but Carlos Correa grounded out to end the threat.

Melton hit a two-run triple with no outs in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 7-0. A sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubón made it 8-0.

The Twins got on the board with Castro’s two-out homer in the fourth inning.

Altuve homered to left-center to start the bottom of the inning and make it 9-1.

Key moment

Smith’s two-RBI single in the first that gave Houston the lead for good.

Key stat

The Astros had four doubles to give them 15 in their last three games.

Up next

Astros RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.82 ERA) opposes Twins RHP Joe Ryan (7-2, 2.96) on Saturday.

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