Closing the Gap the Astros Way

 

The Rangers had a stranglehold on the AL West for the majority of the season so far, and yet as I write this they are only 3.5 games ahead of inevitability. Once again, the Astros would like a chance to speak.

I know this is a 'new and improved' Astros that the MLB is trying to sell us, one that isn't just the Jose Altuve-led cheaters that infuriated everyone in the 2010s. This team is run by homegrown phenoms like Jeremy Pena, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier and Yordan Alvarez. But...Altuve's still there, hitting .269. And Alex Bregman's still there, with 9 homers and 39 RBIs. And Martin Maldonado's still there...shitting the bed at the plate, as per usual. The team has changed, yes, but it's used its earlier incarnations in order to get a strong foothold on the competition. Resting on the shoulders of cheaters does have its perks, even if a lot of what's made the Astros continue to be good does admittedly have more to do with its excellent development program. 

Not every team can go from Carlos Correa immediately to Jeremy Pena. Drafting someone as good as Carlos Correa can happen to any team, but building the farm system so that by the time he leaves for another market, your next best organizational choice is right there ready to take the position in the majors, that's learned tactics. The Astros have accomplished so many great things in the last few years just on the strength of its organization that I still kinda dislike them. Not as much in a cheating way, just...you're so good, why are you always so good, can you please stop being so good and give someone else a damned chance?

And that's where I am currently. The Rangers have an excellent story going of how they've built their own organization, and have used big pieces like Bruce Bochy, Nate Eovaldi and Josh Jung to go even further this year. But the Astros still aren't calming down, and are still climbing their way back to the top, even without some of the biggest pieces of the championship years. Jeremy Pena has 26 RBIs and is branching out as a key defender. Framber Valdez has a 2.27 ERA and 95 Ks. EVEN JOSE ABREU IS HEATING UP NOW. He's been an RBI machine since June began, and he had a big night last night. The Astros just aren't done, and they're looking to capitalize on their easier schedule, with matches against the Nationals, Reds, Mets and Cardinals on the way.

I know this is what the Astros do, but I just wish they'd have the sort of bending arc that the Patriots eventually dealt with where they give someone else a chance to be good every year. At least the Yankees remember to lose the ALCS every year to give other people a chance to win. When are the Astros gonna do that?

Coming Tomorrow- The Yankees booted him away, and now he's got a chance at an ASG appearance in SF.