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Stock Up, Stock Down: Red Sox, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Astros

By Scott Roche

May 3, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after a pitch during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after a pitch during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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fantasy baseball second basemen
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 03: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros slides to second base against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning in Game Five of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 03, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Stock Up: Houston Astros

Before the season even started, the Astros were put behind the eight-ball with an injury to Jose Altuve, but after a slow start, they are starting to put it together with their second baseman close to returning.

Yordan Alvarez has carried Houston’s offense through the first quarter of the season by slashing .287/.388/.551 with a team-high nine home runs and 39 RBI. Mauricio Dubon is hitting .309 with 10 doubles in 37 games, while Kyle Tucker, Jeremy Peña, and Alex Bregman all have six home runs. The offense has been hit or miss, but it should find more consistency with the return of Altuve.

Their pitching is led by Cristian Javier and Hunter Brown, who each have four wins and they are coming off of a sweep of the Chicago Cubs, which was capped off with a four-run bottom of the ninth inning that ended on a two-run single from Tucker. Next up this weekend, they host the Oakland A’s, which should be a perfect time to get Altuve back into the lineup.

The Texas Rangers have held onto the AL West lead for a good part of the season, but the Astros are starting to play better, string wins together, they are getting Altuve back, and taking advantage of their recent schedule. America’s favorite team to dislike is getting better and going to be a factor in 2023.

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