The Houston Astros have clawed their way back to an even .500 record for the first time this season, a milestone achieved by completing a two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday afternoon. This victory, which extended their winning streak to seven games, saw the Astros improve to a 40-40 record.
The Astros' season began on shaky ground with an 0-4 start. By April 25, the team was languishing at a 7-19 record, but the tides slowly turned. Since entering June with a 25-33 record, the Astros have managed to win 15 of their last 22 games. The latest win moves them within 4.5 games of the division lead, a significant improvement considering their inauspicious start.
A Dominant Pitching Performance
Wednesday's game was highlighted by a stellar performance from Spencer Arrighetti, who held the Rockies scoreless through seven innings. Arrighetti struck out a career-high 10 batters, showcasing his prowess and providing a much-needed boost to the Astros’ pitching staff, which has been beleaguered by injuries.
This season, the Astros' rotation has faced significant challenges, culminating in a disappointing 4.26 ERA, which ranks 18th in Major League Baseball. For much of the season, the team has hovered among the bottom five in the ERA category, highlighting the impact of their injury woes.
Injury Woes and Rotation Struggles
The starting rotation took another hit as right-handed pitcher J.P. France is set to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. France, who has struggled this season with a 7.46 ERA in five starts before being demoted to Triple-A, had shown promise last year, posting a 3.83 ERA over 136 1/3 innings.
The Astros' pitching depth has been further compromised with the losses of Cristian Javier and José Urquidy to Tommy John surgery earlier this month. In addition, Justin Verlander is sidelined with a neck issue, and there is no clear timetable for his return. Manager Joe Espada provided an update on the health statuses of Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr., noting that both pitchers are still working their way back from elbow surgeries performed last year.
Looking to the Horizon
General Manager Dana Brown provided insight into the team's approach to handling injuries, particularly in light of France's situation. "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 mentioned 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."
After taking a well-deserved off-day on Thursday, the Astros will embark on a critical 10-game road trip, facing the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins. The Blue Jays series is set for four games, while the Mets and Twins series consist of three games each.
This challenging road trip will test the resilience of a team that has fought hard to reach an even record. With key players on the mend and a recent surge in performance, the Astros are aiming to close the gap further in their division and continue their upward trajectory in the standings.