The MLB Trade Deadline brought a ton of news to most teams. However, none of the headlines involve the Houston Astros. The Astros decided to move forward with their current roster. After making big moves at the Trade Deadline in the past few seasons, they went completely quiet.
No Deals Came Into Fruition
The Astros did not make any deals, but they did inquire about a couple of pitchers. The pitchers they inquired about were left-handed starter Robbie Ray, and right-handed reliever Matt Barnes.
Ray, a strikeout specialist (12.5 strikeouts per nine,) walked 31 batters in 31 innings. Houston thought they could possibly correct the walking issue, but in the end decided the risk, or the cost, was too great and opted out. Ray ended up being dealt from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Toronto Blue Jays. Barnes, very similar to Ray, strikes out a lot of batters (11.1 strikeouts per nine,) but he also deals with command issues (10 walks in 13 innings.) Barnes ended up staying with the Boston Red Sox.
The Astros looked for guys whose specialty is missing bats. Houston’s pitching staff ranks eighth in the American League in strikeouts, with 288. In each of the past three seasons, their staff finished in the top two in the AL in strikeouts. In the end though, no deals came into fruition, and the Astros current roster remains the same.
Astros Current Roster Advances in Home Stand
Interruptions to Houston’s homestand abound, but in between those breaks, success echoes. Two games have been postponed, one against the Los Angeles Angels due to Hurricane Laura, and one against the Oakland Athletics due to a positive COVID-19 test in the Oakland organization. MLB rescheduled the game versus the Angels for Saturday, September 5 as a doubleheader. The final series against the Angels takes place September 4-6. No word on a date to make up the game against the A’s. The game will likely be made up as a doubleheader during the September 7-10 series at Oakland. This four (probably five) game series holds hope for Houston, as it is the final time the Astros and A’s face off during the 2020 regular season.
Despite the two postponements, the Astros played five games on the homestand. Of those five games, Houston won four, including both games against the A’s. Every win matters, but the wins against the A’s impact the post season greatly. Once again, with this postseason format, the top two teams in each division advance. That being said, the division leader gets home-field advantage through at least part of the postseason. Home field advantage may not sound like a big deal, seeing as there are no actual fans in the ballpark, but Minute Maid Park has been very friendly to Houston. Entering Tuesday, the Astros own a 14-5 record at home, as opposed to 5-9 on the road. Overall, the Astros are 19-14, two and a half games back of the division-leading A’s. Tuesday marks the beginning of the final three games of the Astros homestand.
Astros Moving Toward Playoffs
Talks of MLB using a form of a bubble for the playoffs is ongoing. One location discussed is Texas. If Minute Maid Park opens its doors to the playoffs, the Astros home record looks good. If the Astros travel to Globe Life Park, they may be stuck behind the eight ball. Either way Houston looks to make noise in the playoffs.
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