With more than a month gone in the baseball season, there is an unexpected team at the top of the standings: the Houston Astros, long a major league doormat. A 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers on Monday night ended a 10-game winning streak, but Houston is still 18-8, the best record in the American League.
After three straight 100-loss seasons, the Astros improved last year to 70-92. Though more respectable, the team still seemed a long way from contention, making this year’s fast start quite unexpected.
Last year Houston ranked 14th in runs scored, ahead only of Tampa Bay; this year it ranks fourth.