Astros Back at .500 After Sweeping Rockies
The Houston Astros have clawed their way back to a .500 record for the first time this season, clinching a 40-40 mark following a two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies. Wednesday’s game capped a seven-game winning streak for the Astros, who began their campaign with a dismal 0-4 start and were 7-19 by April 25.
The turnaround began in June when the Astros, sitting at a 25-33 record, managed to win 15 of their last 22 games. This surge has brought them within 4.5 games of the division lead, a significant improvement given their earlier struggles.
The latest victory showcased a stellar performance from Spencer Arrighetti, who held the Rockies scoreless over seven innings. Arrighetti also notched a career-high 10 strikeouts, cementing his place as a bright spot in the Astros' injury-riddled rotation.
While the team’s recent performance has been promising, they continue to battle injuries within their pitching staff. Right-handed pitcher J.P. France will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery after a tough stretch this season, sporting a 7.46 ERA in five starts before being demoted to Triple-A. France had a much better run last year, with a 3.83 ERA in 136 1/3 innings.
He joins teammates Cristian Javier and José Urquidy, both of whom underwent Tommy John surgery this month. Adding to the woes, Justin Verlander is currently out with a neck issue, with no timetable for his return.
In an interview, General Manager Dana Brown reflected on the handling of Verlander's injury: "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 said. "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."
Manager Joe Espada also provided updates on other key pitchers. "Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are still working their way back from last year's elbow surgeries," Espada mentioned earlier this week.
Despite these setbacks, the Astros' rotation has managed a 4.26 ERA this season, placing them 18th in baseball, a notable feat given the injuries. For much of the season, however, they found themselves among the league's bottom five in ERA.
The challenges ahead remain significant. After an off-day on Thursday, the Astros will set out on a crucial 10-game road trip, where they will face the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins. The series against the Blue Jays is a four-game set, while the matchups against the Mets and Twins consist of three games each.
As the Astros prepare for this grueling segment of their schedule, their recent resurgence offers a glimmer of hope. The road trip will serve as a litmus test for a team that has shown resilience despite being beset by injuries. The return of key players and continued performance from rising stars like Arrighetti could very well determine if Houston can sustain their upward trajectory and make a run for the division lead.