The Houston Astros are on a hot streak as they make their way through their seven-game homestand.
After kicking off the season with two straight losses, things weren’t looking great, but they’ve shown improvement in recent games.
They then went on to win the final two games against the Angels and carried that success over to the Boston Red Sox, sweeping all three games of the series.
With a 6-4 win over the Red Sox, the Astros extended their winning streak to five games and concluded their seven-game homestand with a solid performance.
As far as their pitching staff, Tatsuya Imai made his major league debut, and while he was off to a great start, his nerves seemed to have gotten the best of him. However, it was just his first game, and he still shows great promise.
Lance McCullers Jr. delivered his most dominant start in years Monday night, a long-awaited breakthrough that lifted the Houston Astros to an 8-1 win over the Boston Red Sox.
After recording the final out, McCullers reacted strongly on the mound, clearly energized following the performance.
Overall, that was a big game for the Astros, with outstanding pitching and a series of home runs.
Veteran Jose Altuve hit two home runs, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate while setting the tone at the top of the lineup. Yordan Alvarez, who started as the designated hitter, launched a home run and drove in two runs, continuing to anchor the middle of the order. Rookie Brice Matthews also went deep, adding to Houston’s power surge, and Carlos Correa made a key defensive play in the infield.
Now with five victories in a row, the Astros aim to carry that form over to West Sacramento, California, at Sutter Health Park. They are set to take on the Athletics on April 3. With only one win under their belt, the Astros find themselves in a favorable position.
Consistent performances like Monday’s have put the Astros off to a solid start, but they will need to sustain that level from game to game. Most importantly, they need to stay healthy. They have the talent, and the chemistry is starting to develop, but they cannot afford to lose players to injuries. Staying healthy is essential to avoid missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season.