The Astros are now 1.5 games up in the race for home-field advantage. The mighty Yankees have returned to earth over the past six weeks, the Mariners are playing good baseball but out of head-to-head chances vs. Houston and 11 back with 48 left. The Astros are back to a six-man rotation, 2.5 weeks away from potentially adding extra bullpen girth (Hunter Brown anyone?) to a pitching staff that has been relentlessly good all season long. One question looms especially large: who’s on left?
First, let’s just repeat the obvious: Michael Brantley was a boss! What a joy to watch such a professional hitter for the past 3.