Currently 47-51 with a -47 run differential, the Astros are entering a quite consequential portion of their schedule. Thanks to the mediocrity of the American League, this team is still only 1.5 games out of the last Wild Card spot. Houston also has a chance to win the division, trailing the Rangers by just three games in the standings. So, yes, even with a subpar record, this team isn’t out of the postseason race…yet.
Barring a collapse, the Astros are poised to be buyers, though. Trading Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon to the Brewers to save $2.5 million broadcast Dana Brown’s intent on saving some payroll space in order to possibly add by the trade deadline. Whether that’ll happen is anyone’s guess because there likely aren’t many sellers this year. You can actually make a compelling case that Houston should sell, but that’s not happening with Brown’s contract status. It is postseason-or-bust for him and Joe Espada.
On the plus side, the Astros do have the second-easiest schedule for the rest of the season.
If they can’t take advantage of this schedule, well, it is their own fault.
Orioles @ Astros Game Information and Gamethread Details
Peter Lambert gets the starting nod this evening, with the right-hander being the MVP of the starting rotation so far. No offense to Hunter Brown, although I hope his recent struggles become more of a passing issue rather than something to worry about for the rest of the season.
With Brice Matthews heading to the IL with a left knee sprain, the Astros chose to bring up Lucas Spence to make his Major League debut, playing in center field. Spence does have some pop in his bat, so I’m curious to see how he fares. Kai-Wei Teng is also back on the active roster, as he was activated off the IL.
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Feature photo from Astros on X
As the Astros have seen in the past few years, strength of schedule can be deceiving. Especially at the end of the year.
Anyone playing the Nationals for example is in for a big surprise if they expect “easy” wins even if that team is overall meh. Same goes for us and many other teams with poor or middling records.
That said when you have one of the “easiest” SoS to finish the season off with…. yeah, you have no one to blame but yourself if you can’t win games.
Especially since we have days off until the end of the year.