How Astros appear to be on collision course with historic offenses
MAKING HISTORY
07 June 2023
The Houston Astros have been on a tear over this recent stretch of games, but they haven't gained any ground on the Rangers who continue to put up runs at a historic pace.
Houston's pitching is elite again this year, but the offense is just mediocre at this point in the season. The Rangers and Rays are getting things done with elite offense and pitching, which has them leading the best two divisions in baseball.
So will the Rangers and Rays fall back to the pack like the Yankees did last year, or will the Astros have to step their game up to win the AL pennant once again?
Editor's note: This video was recorded before Jacob deGrom's surgery was announced.
Jacob deGrom will undergo Tommy John surgery and is out indefinitely, per @Evan_P_Grant pic.twitter.com/TuIPBAp6XV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 6, 2023
Plus, which team is the biggest threat to the Astros? The Rays or the Rangers?
Be sure to watch the video above as we break it all down.
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How latest Yordan Alvarez news provides clarity on multiple levels for Astros
May 7, 2025, 12:25 pm
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.
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