The Houston Astros wrapped up their road series against the Cleveland Guardians with a 2-0 shutout win on Wednesday, taking two out of three and heading home with something they have not had much of this season: momentum.
It was not a perfect road trip. Tuesday's loss was a rough one, with the bullpen giving up six runs in the eighth inning to let a winnable game slip away. That is the kind of loss that can linger. But Houston responded the exact way they needed to after a tough loss if they want to stay competitive this season.
The story of this series was the pitching. Spencer Arrighetti got things started on the right foot on Monday, delivering another solid outing and earning the win in a 9-2 blowout. Arrighetti has been one of the few bright spots in a rotation that has had its struggles early in the season, and he continues to give Houston exactly what they need.
Peter Lambert matched that effort Wednesday and then some. Lambert was outstanding, going six innings, allowing just three hits and striking out eight batters without giving up a single run. Lambert’s outing offered another glimpse of hope for a staff battling injuries and inconsistency.
Yordan Alvarez took care of the offense, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs to provide all the run support Lambert would need. Alvarez leads the league in home runs with 11. Carlos Correa chipped in with a double as well.
When Houston gets that kind of pitching performance and Yordan Alvarez is locked in, they have what it takes to be a threat. That combination did not show up every night on this trip, but it showed up when it mattered most.
The Astros head home now to face the New York Yankees this weekend, and they are in a much better headspace than they were a few days ago.
A series win on the road against a solid Cleveland team is not something to overlook, especially for a team that has been searching for consistency.
The Yankees series will be a bigger test, and this is a series that can easily get away from Houston. But after the way this road trip ended, Houston has a little confidence heading into it. For a team searching for traction, Houston may have found it at exactly the right time.