Astros carry large division lead into late August

By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Posted 8/18/22

The Astros have already built over a ten-game lead in the AL West divisional race while holding the second best record in the major leagues and the best record in the American League.

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Astros carry large division lead into late August

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The Astros once again have proven themselves to be among the MLB’s best throughout the first half of the season.

The Astros have already built over a ten-game lead in the AL West divisional race while holding the second best record in the major leagues and the best record in the American League.

The Astros have gone on a strong run, having won five of six against the Yankees this season. Showing that they still may be the biggest force to reckon with in the American League.

Houston has been on a tear to gain such a big lead in the division, and they have been led by Yordan Alvarez, who has had a scalding start to the year, hitting .309 with a .414 on base percentage and .674 slugging percentage to go with 29 home runs, 67 RBIs and 65 runs. Jose Altuve is right behind Alvarez, hitting .272 with a .509 slugging percentage with 19 home runs and 36 RBIs. While Kyle Tucker has driven in 64 with 15 home runs.

On the pitching side, Justin Verlander has returned to Cy-Young form, as he has a 13-3 record with a 1.86 ERA with over 100 innings pitched. Framber Valdez has also been especially strong for the Astros, with a 2.80 ERA and a 9-4 record while giving up just six home runs so far this season. Package that with Lance McCullers being expected to return from injury later this month and the Astros pitching is in a great spot.

But there are still improvements to be made though and the Astros know there are positions that need to be upgraded.

Yuri Gurriel has struggled mightily so far and does not look like the same player that won a batting title.

Gurriel is hitting just .240 so far this year with a .292 on base percentage and is only slugging .385, a very low rate. So far this year the 38-year old has hit seven home runs and driven in 27, leading the Astros to having questions as first base and at catcher Martin Maldonado continues to struggle. The 35-year-old catcher is hitting just .170 this season with a .339 slugging percentage with an on base percentage of just .235. He has 10 home runs and 30 RBIs but the other numbers are very much below league average, but he also is known as one of the best defensive catchers in the league and all of the Astros pitching staff enjoys throwing to him.

The Astros attempted to improve in both of those areas at the trade deadline, adding Trey Mancini from the Baltimore Orioles, who is hitting for a .268 average with a .346 on base percentage and .402 slugging percentage this season and he has looked very strong since getting to Houston.

Also joining Houston at the deadline was Christian Vazquez from the Boston Red Sox. He is hitting .281 with a .326 slugging percentage and .431 slugging percentage and plays plus defense behind the plate, giving the Astros a very good alternative to Maldonado as Houston goes into the back end of the regular season in a very strong spot.

But those are just small areas and overall, Houston is very much in the thick of it for the best record in the league and the No.1 record in the American League, which would give them home field advantage all the way through the AL playoffs to the World Series.

Key matchups down the stretch include series when they play the Braves in next week and play the Rays in two series in September. The Astros will close the regular season against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Katy Times, sports, baseball, Astros, Houston