HOUSTON -- Coming off a dominating three-game sweep of the Dodgers in Los Angeles, the Astros came home for the final week before the All-Star break and fell flat. Houston was swept by the Guardians and lost two of three to the Rangers, leaving them with a five-game lead atop the American League West division.
That’s still not a bad position for the Astros, considering they lost Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman in the offseason, have been without slugger Yordan Alvarez for 2 1/2 months and have had three starting pitchers who were in the rotation to begin the season -- Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski and Spencer Arrighetti -- on the injured list most of the season. And recent injuries to All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña (rib) and starting center fielder Jake Meyers (calf) have further cut into their offensive depth.
HOUSTON -- Coming off a dominating three-game sweep of the Dodgers in Los Angeles, the Astros came home for the final week before the All-Star break and fell flat. Houston was swept by the Guardians and lost two of three to the Rangers, leaving them with a five-game lead atop the American League West division.
That’s still not a bad position for the Astros, considering they lost Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman in the offseason, have been without slugger Yordan Alvarez for 2 1/2 months and have had three starting pitchers who were in the rotation to begin the season -- Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski and Spencer Arrighetti -- on the injured list most of the season. And recent injuries to All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña (rib) and starting center fielder Jake Meyers (calf) have further cut into their offensive depth.