The Astros’ 10-game winning streak has lifted them to the best mark in the American League (46-28). They are at the top of the AL West – with a 1.0 game advantage over the Athletics – and 18 wins over 500.
Everything is going well for the Astros, with rotation and attack leading the team to its longest winning streak of the season. Here’s an analysis of every aspect that has kept the Houston club on fire.
In the last 22 games, Astros starters have thrown 140.1 innings and given up just 42 deserved runs. Starting pitching has looked great so far this season with a 3.29 ERA, which puts them in second place at the Young Circuit (behind the White Sox with a 3.16 ERA).
In Monday’s game, Jake Odorizzi became the first traditional starter in major league history to make five consecutive starts against the Orioles without allowing a well-earned run. He pitched 26 scoreless innings against Baltimore, the third longest streak in the past 50 seasons.
Houston leads the majors in several categories: runs scored (425), hits (716) and average (.279), among other departments.
Over the course of their 10-game winning streak, which began June 13, the Astros have a +58 run differential (outnumbering opponents 78-20) and have allowed four or fewer runs in each game.
Michael Brantley had the biggest contribution in a 10-2 win over Baltimore on Monday, going 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Cuban Yuli Gurriel also had his game with at least two hits and at least two RBIs, increasing his total to eight hits and six RBIs during the streak.
Asked what he thought of Brantley’s performance – who has doubled seven in his first 12 games since returning from the disabled list – Gurriel simply said, “Unbelievable.”
“He’s a wonderful hitter,” Gurriel continued. “He is like a teacher. He hits the ball to all bands. He never has a problem when he’s in the batter’s box. “
In the end, the three-game series against Baltimore was the best example of how well the bats of the Houston squad have looked. In total, they scored 23 runs and in the last game on Wednesday, they put together a 17-hitter attack that included home runs by Venezuelan José Altuve – his 10th in June – by Cuban Yordan Álvarez and Chas McCormick.
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