The Houston Astros are back at .500 for the first time this season, a significant milestone they reached after completing a two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday afternoon. With a record now standing at 40-40, the Astros have extended their winning streak to seven games, showing a remarkable turnaround from their rocky start.
Their season began with a daunting 0-4 record and by April 25, the Astros were floundering at 7-19. Fast forward to June, and they entered the month with a 25-33 record. However, they've managed to ignite a charge, winning 15 of their last 22 games. This renaissance has seen them close the gap in their division, as they now sit within 4.5 games of the lead.
A key contributor to their latest triumph was Spencer Arrighetti, who held the Rockies scoreless over seven innings. This exceptional performance included a career-high 10 strikeouts, showcasing his potential as a formidable force on the mound.
The Astros are weathering a storm of injuries within their pitching staff. Right-handed pitcher J.P. France is set to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. France struggled this season with a 7.46 ERA in five starts before being demoted to Triple-A, starkly contrasting his more solid performance last year with a 3.83 ERA over 136 1/3 innings. This loss compounds the challenges the Astros face as Cristian Javier and José Urquidy have already been sidelined with Tommy John surgery earlier this month. Additionally, Justin Verlander is currently out with a neck issue, with no clear timetable for his return.
General Manager Dana Brown reflected on these setbacks, particularly focusing on Verlander. "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 explained to 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."
Adding to the list of recuperating pitchers, Manager Joe Espada noted that Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are still on the mend from elbow surgeries they underwent last year. This collection of injured pitchers has left the Astros' rotation with a 4.26 ERA, ranking them 18th in baseball. Throughout much of the season, they have been among the bottom five teams in terms of ERA.
Following an off-day on Thursday, the Astros will embark on a challenging 10-game road trip. They are set to face the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins. The Blue Jays series will span four games, while both the Mets and Twins series will be three games each.
Despite the tumultuous journey this season, the Houston Astros have demonstrated resilience and tenacity. Their return to a .500 record is a testament to their persistent efforts and strategic adjustments. As they continue to navigate a tough schedule and manage injured players, the next phase of the season will undoubtedly test their mettle.