The Houston Astros have clawed their way back to a .500 record for the first time this season, highlighted by a seven-game winning streak that included a two-game sweep over the Colorado Rockies. With this surge, the Astros now sit at 40-40, a marked improvement for a club that opened the season with four consecutive losses and was 7-19 by April 25.
The team's resurgence has been highlighted by significant individual performances, notably by Spencer Arrighetti, who delivered a masterclass against the Rockies. Arrighetti held the Colorado lineup scoreless over seven innings and struck out a career-high 10 batters, an outing that demonstrated the potential depth in Houston's rotation despite numerous setbacks.
Speaking of setbacks, the Astros' pitching staff has been plagued by injuries. Right-handed pitcher J.P. France is set to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. France struggled this season, posting a 7.46 ERA in five starts before his demotion to Triple-A. Last year, however, he had been a more reliable arm with a 3.83 ERA in 136 1/3 innings, adding to the frustration surrounding his current condition.
France's surgery follows the losses of Cristian Javier and José Urquidy, both sidelined by Tommy John surgery earlier this month. Additionally, ace Justin Verlander is out with a neck issue, and there is no set timetable for his return. These injuries have left the Astros' rotation thin and managing significant challenges this season.
Manager Joe Espada and General Manager Dana Brown have been vocal about the struggles and careful management of their pitching staff. Brown reflected on the handling of their rotation during spring training, saying, "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. 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."
Adding to the complication is that Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are still on the mend from last year’s elbow surgeries. Manager Joe Espada noted, "Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are still working their way back from last year's elbow surgeries." These absences have been felt deeply as Houston’s rotation has recorded a 4.26 ERA this year, placing them 18th in Major League Baseball, a stat that underscores their struggles given their past dominance in pitching.
Despite these challenges, Houston has been able to turn their season around notably since June, managing to secure 15 wins in their last 22 games. Their latest victory has moved them within a 4.5-game reach of the division lead, revitalizing their hopes for a postseason push.
The Astros now face a grueling 10-game road trip following an off-day. They will be challenged by the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins. The series against the Blue Jays will be a four-game set, while the Mets and Twins series will be three games each. This stretch will likely test the resilience and depth of the team as they navigate a demanding schedule underpinned by the ongoing health concerns within their roster.
The recent winning streak and the return to .500 are indications that the Astros still possess the fight and talent required to be competitive, even as they contend with a battered pitching staff. With critical games on the horizon and major players working their way back, the forthcoming weeks will be pivotal in determining just how far Houston can go this season.