Houston Astros run more impressive with who is missing
By David Hill
The Houston Astros have won eight in a row, which is all the more impressive considering their injury woes this year.
Don’t look now, but here come the Houston Astros! They had been the fodder for every possible joke in the game earlier in the year, stumbling out of the gate to a 7-10 record, with the Rangers nipping at their heels for second in the American League West. Their vaunted offense was not nearly as banging as it once was, adding fuel to the trash can fire.
But now, the Astros are the hottest team in baseball. They have won eight consecutive games, taking a 10-8 victory over the Rockies. That eight game winning streak is currently the longest in Major League Baseball, and trails only the A’s for the longest of the season.
How the Astros have gotten there is absolutely impressive. They have had just six innings from the 2019 AL Cy Young winner in Justin Verlander, using a patchwork rotation of rookies. It helps that Zack Greinke is putting together one of the more masterful performances on the mound in recent history, but one pitcher can only go so far.
More Astros. Altuve playing into hands of trolls. light
Those injury woes extend to the bullpen as well. Roberto Osuna had established himself as one of the best young closers in the game, and led the AL in saves last season. He may need Tommy John surgery. Three other key veteran relievers are on the Injured List, leading to the Astros relying on even more rookies in the bullpen.
The lineup has not escaped these woes. Yordan Alvarez, the 2019 AL Rookie of the Year runner up, had last all of two games in his return from injury and now requires season ending knee surgery. Alex Bregman, the 2019 AL MVP runner up, has been placed on the IL with a strained right hamstring. Michael Brantley, who has made three consecutive All Star appearances, is on the IL with a strained quad. And Jose Altuve, much to the delight of trash can aficionados everywhere, has been on the interstate for most of 2020.
Yet, none of that has matter. Dusty Baker is putting himself solidly into Manager of the Year consideration as he has managed to massage every possible victory out of his roster. Meanwhile, one has to imagine that Houston will do everything it can at the trade deadline, looking to prove that its run of success over the previous three years was not just due to their cheating ways.
Next. Greinke calls his own pitches because he can. dark
The Houston Astros are on an impressive run. It is even more impressive considering the injuries they have sustained this season.