The Houston Astros are finding their stride midway through the season, reaching a .500 record for the first time this year. On Wednesday afternoon, the Astros clinched their 40th win by completing a two-game sweep over the Colorado Rockies, extending their current winning streak to seven games.
Despite a rocky start to the season where they dropped their first four games, the Astros have shown resilience and determination. Entering June with a discouraging 25-33 record, the team has since managed to turn things around by winning 15 of their last 22 games. This recent surge has brought them within striking distance of the division lead, now only 4.5 games behind.
Key to the Astros' recent success has been stellar performances from their pitching staff, highlighted by Spencer Arrighetti's dominant outing on Wednesday. Arrighetti held the Rockies scoreless over seven innings and struck out a career-high 10 batters, showcasing the kind of talent that could help the Astros maintain their momentum.
However, not everything is going smoothly for the Astros' pitching staff. Right-handed pitcher J.P. France is set to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, bringing an early end to a challenging season for him. Having posted a 7.46 ERA in five starts before being demoted to Triple-A, France's season contrasts sharply with his previous year's performance, where he maintained a respectable 3.83 ERA over 136 1/3 innings.
The Astros' rotation has been dealt further blows with the loss of Cristian Javier and José Urquidy to Tommy John surgery earlier this month. Moreover, Justin Verlander, a key figure in the rotation, is out with a neck issue, and there is currently no timetable for his return. This has left the team scrambling to manage their pitching roster effectively.
General Manager Dana Brown shed some light on the difficulties the team has faced with their rotation. "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," 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."
Further compounding their challenges, Manager Joe Espada mentioned that Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are still recovering from last year's elbow surgeries. This persistent injury trouble has been reflected in the Astros' rotation's overall performance, sporting a 4.26 ERA this year, which ranks 18th in baseball. For much of the season, the Astros have been among the bottom five teams in the ERA category.
Looking ahead, the Astros face a crucial period as they embark on a 10-game road trip following an off-day on Thursday. The team will take on the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins, with the Blue Jays series being a four-game stint, while both the Mets and Twins series feature three games each.
As the Astros navigate this challenging phase, their ability to maintain their newfound momentum will be tested. The combined pressure of a grueling schedule and managing an injury-plagued rotation may pose significant hurdles. Nevertheless, the team's recent performances have instilled a renewed sense of hope and determination in both players and fans alike.
If the Astros can continue to build on their current form, they stand a good chance of being serious contenders in the division race. A lot will hinge on the return of key players and the ability of the remaining pitchers to step up and fill the gaps. Houston will undoubtedly be a team to watch in the coming weeks as they strive to establish themselves as a force in the league once more.