[USA Today] Perhaps the Houston Astros truly are unstoppable.

We finally getting respect from the national media. And I don't mean ESPN...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...wer-rankings-astros-al-standings/84478932007/

Perhaps the Houston Astros truly are unstoppable.

After dispatching two of their bedrock players in Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker last winter, they got off to an appropriately middling start that suggested their revamped lineup might have, finally, lost too many pieces from their championships in 2017 and 2022.

[...]

And after a road sweep of their old adversaries, the team many love to hate has won 24 of its last 32 games, completing a startling five-week rise from No. 12 to No. 2 inpower rankings the rankings. With All-Star ace Hunter Brown and should-be All-Star Framber Valdez fronting the rotation, the club may put the American League West to bed by the trade deadline.

[...]

2. Houston Astros (+1)

• Jose Altuve slams three home runs at Dodger Stadium, thrilling the locals.

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From CBS Sports:
MLB Power Rankings: Astros surge into No. 1 spot, but Dodgers, Tigers aren't going anywhere

We're now a week away from the All-Star break and that is obviously one of the big benchmarks in the season. Sometimes at this point, there will be an obvious No. 1 team. Most others, there isn't one. We're fortune right now to have three teams with a legitimate claim as the "best team in baseball" in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros.

Astros
Record: 55-35 | Run differential: +71

The Astros traded Kyle Tucker in the offseason and have been without Yordan Alvarez for much of this season. They were 17-18 at one point. A few weeks later, they were only one game over .500 at 26-25. Since then, though, the Astros have gone a ridiculous 29-10 with a +50 run differential.

And they just swept the Dodgers in Dodger Stadium. Those same Dodgers, again, had won 18 of 23 heading into the series. And the Astros beat them 18-1, 6-4 and 5-1 to break out the brooms.


If we're going to mention the Dodgers getting healthier in the rotation after dealing with starting pitching injuries, what about the Astros? They have six starting pitchers on the injured list right now. Alvarez and All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña are among eight position players on the IL.

And they just won't slow down.

Meanwhile, starters Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, J.P. France and Luis Garcia are all throwing bullpen sessions in their rehab.

Yeah, I think I'm sold.

I'm not saying this will last any longer than one week, but I do think the Astros have staying power toward the top. And they are the hottest team of these three, up through a stretch where they swept the Dodgers in three games in L.A.


The Houston Astros are, right now, the best team in baseball.