The Astros are ranked third in baseball for player innings lost due to injury. Yet, they have the third best record in the entire league. How is that even possible? A lot of it comes down to resilience, unexpected play from younger players and, most importantly, some of the best pitching anywhere.
How long can they keep it up? No one knows. But, at this point, they have no choice. Some help could be on the horizon however. Let’s dig in.
Last Week Record: 5-1
This Week Opponents: at Rockies (19-66), at Dodgers (54-32)
Current Record: 51-34 (1st in AL West – 7.0 games)
Yordan Setback and Peña broken rib.
When it rains, it pours and it seems to be drenching the Astros in injuries. After going to Florida to hit live batting practice, Yordan Alvarez (out since early May) felt pain in his hand and was sent to see a specialist. “Sent to see a specialist” is frequently followed by “out for the season.” We can hope that isn’t the case here, but this hand problem isn’t going away. The Astros have won despite his absence, but…
Now, Jeremy Peña has hit the IL after getting hit by a pitch and apparently fracturing a rib (an interesting change from Astros shortstops getting broken ribs from massage therapy). The team and Peña won’t speculate on a timeline, but neither believe it is something that will keep him out for an extended time, perhaps right after the All-Star break (break being the operative word). We would say this team can ill afford any more broken bones or strains, but they just keep going.
Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez, good at baseball.
One of the main reasons the team has weathered the storm of injuries is because they continue to get some of the best pitching in the entire league. Brown has the best ERA in baseball and is on the fast track for a Cy Young Award. Valdez continues to eat innings and provide quality start after quality start. The pair have been absolutely stellar recently and there is no reason to think that won’t continue.
Reliever Bryan Abreu has been brutalizing opponents.
Photo by Jack Gorman
Speaking of pitching…
The Astros have perhaps the best one-two punch starters in the AL, but they also have probably the best two closing pitchers as well. Set up man Bryan Abreu looks like the most dominant reliever on a ball field right now, striking out nearly everyone he faces and slicing through MLB lineups like a hot knife through butter. Josh Hader is only the best closer in the sport and has racked up a team record 24 consecutive saves to start the season. He still gives up the occasional homer, but thus far, it hasn’t hurt him or the team.
Is there light at the end of the tunnel, or is that a train?
If you want some positive injury news (who doesn’t?), as many as four of the Astros best pitchers could return from injury post All-Star break. Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia and J.P. France are well into their rehab stints and Spencer Arrighetti began throwing to live batters this week. Getting any or all of them back completely or even partially would be a huge boost to the team. If recoveries also include Peña, Jacob Melton and Zach Dezenzo, this is a team that could get better before August without making a trade (though they still probably will do something).