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The Astros have caughten a bit of fire recently, winning 7 of their last 8 games and 10 of 14 overall. They currently have a 1/2 game lead over the Angels for 1st place in the AL West. With a 71-68 record (Angels are 70-68) and September call ups on the way to add depth (especially to the bullpen), things are looking up. It will be a tight race to the end of the regular season as the Angels are 1/2 game behind and the A's are only 3.5 games behind. The Astros have 23 games remaining and all but 7 of them are against the AL West foes, including 6 of the last 9 games against the Angels. It should be an interesting race down the stretch.
Jake Bauers has really hit the ball well lately, including against lefties. Carlos Correa has really upped his play the last month and now has his average up to .267 (it was in the .230's).
Young prospects Forrest Whitley (#1 pitching prospect in baseball) and Corbin Martin have filled in admirably the last couple of starts each in place of Collin McHugh and Brad Peacock who are both likely out for the remainder of the season. It's a shame because Peacock was pitching very well as our #3/#4 starter. Alex Reyes has pitched very well since coming off the IL.
Gerrit Cole is a little ahead of schedule from his shoulder inury (been out since May) and should be back for the last 2 weeks of the regular season! Hopefully he comes back in the same great form he was in when he went on the IL back in May.
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