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Fresh off taking 2 of 3 from the White Sox (should have been a 3 game sweep, but blew 1-0 lead in the 8th inning)...the Astros clubhouse seems to be a ticking time bomb.
So many areas, statistically speaking, say that this team should be way better than the current 61-64 record. The Pythagorean record is 71-56!!
They rank in the top 3 in every offensive category in the American league except home runs (11th). But also have the most strikeouts (batting) in the AL and have grounded into the most double plays in the AL.
The bullpen ERA ranks 3rd overall, but has some flaws that have been recently addressed with trades - the recent addition of submarine specialist Joe Smith off of the 60 day DL might help improve. But the rest of the pitching statistics are average or below average in just about every category.
No one is pointing fingers, but the every day players - at least the top 6 in the lineup - are carrying this team. And when Justin Verlander starts a game and we DON'T win, it's a HUGE loss for us because the way he has been pitching, we expect to come up with enough offense to win every one of his starts.
Just a tough situation.
We have a 4 game home series against the struggling Detroit Tigers. A 4 game sweep would put us right back in position to reclaim first place. Taking 3 of the 4 games is a worst-case scenario - or at least feels that way with how things have been going.
Following that series is a HUGE 3 game home series against the Angels who currently have a 65-62 record and a 3 game lead over both the Astros & the A's. After the Angels series is an equally important series against the Tampa Bay Rays who currently have the second wild card spot in the AL.
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