Astros for real? And more from the AL…
The Houston Astros are off to a torrid start in the American League West. After being a bottom-feeder for the first two seasons in their new division, the Astros are sitting pretty at 14-7, four games ahead of the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels.
Houston was supposed to be a team loaded with home-run hitters who would strikeout plenty. So far, only the strikeout portion of that equation is true, but the real surprise has been on the mound. The Astros have the best ERA in the American League, sporting a 3.11 mark. The starting staff is a bunch of journeyman-types and unknowns behind Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh, but so far, so good.
Keuchel might be the frontrunner for the American League Cy Young award at this early stage. Keuchel was brilliant in his last start, actually earning a no-decision against the Oakland Athletics. Keuchel retired the last 18 batters he faced while pitching nine shutout innings, a contest which ultimately resulted in Houston winning a wild 5-4 affair at O.co Coliseum. To this point, Keuchel is 3-0 with a 0.73 ERA, notching a quality start in each of his five appearances.
McHugh has also been top-notch in the second slot. The 27-year-old is 3-0 as well with a 2.92 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, showing many that Houston has more than just one nice arm at the top of the rotation.
Behind the formidable duo is the trio of Scott Feldman, Brad Peacock and Roberto Hernandez. Feldman has a bloated 4.81 ERA, while Peacock sits at 5.40 and Hernandez owns a 3.80 number. This could be the downfall of Houston, with none expected to be any better than they currently are. Over the long haul, it is rough to have three poor pitchers going on a consistent basis.
Still, the Astros have a strong bullpen led by Tony Sipp and new closer Luke Gregorson. Additionally, the AL West is a poor division. The Texas Rangers are terrible, and the A’s, Angels and Mariners are each scuffling and have obvious holes. This could be a group that sees the winner with 85 wins at the end.
Houston might fall off, but the window to contend is open if McHugh and Keuchel have All-Star seasons. If nothing else, baseball is fun again for the Astros and their fans.
Cleveland rocked
The Cleveland Indians were a hot pick to win the AL Central before the season started. Flash forward to April 30, and the Indians are 7-13 and last in the division. Only Texas, 7-14, has a worse record in the American League.
The Indians are 2-6 at Progressive Field and are getting nothing from Michael Bourn and Lonnie Chisenhall. Bourn is hitting .197 with two steals, while Chisenhall has walked twice in 19 games while hitting .231 with a homer and six RBI.
Already seven games out of first place, Cleveland needs to pick up the pace. Immediately.
