Some silver linings in the three game losing streak

Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty ImagesA three game losing streak wouldn’t ordinarily warrant an article here. That’s in a 162 game season. But in a 60 game season a three game losing streak is more like an eight game losing streak in terms of impact. The Astros are currently one game under .500, three and a half games behind the A’s in the AL West, and just one and a half games ahead of the Angels in second. (You need to make second to make the playoffs). Meanwhile, the A’s have won seven straight on the strength of shut -down pitching.

Each game in this three game slide has been de-moralizing in its own way. In the first loss, a 14-7 blowout in Phoenix, it seemed like the entire pitching…