Under The Radar And Still Red Hot!

2013 was a year of complete and utter adjustment, adaptation to a new league. a new set of teams and a set of 25-40 kids learning to do things on the fly in the big leagues.

You may recall that within the 51-111 season the final two weeks of the campaign ended on a 15 game skid against teams who seemingly were in the playoff chase and able to take full advantage of the naivete and youth of Bo Porter's team. Six of those 15 losses by 1 run!

Despite all the struggles and a record that was only 22-47 the final 70 games of last year in my memory bank stood a quartet of pitching that had all the upside the world with Jarred Cosart, Brett Oberholzer, Dallas Keuchel, Brad Peacock. Hurlers who could induce ground ball outs prior to the mid relief and closers having their issues closing out games.

With a little relief this Astros team could compete with anybody.

With Fathers Day weekend now here go back one month and ponder the following. At the All-Star Break last year Houston had a mid-season mark of 33-64. In the event the Astros defeated the Rays on June 15th their record will be at 33-38. Precisely a 1 month turnaround from 12 months prior.

Since May 11th 2014 the following about this years Astros team  is the undeniable truth.

1.Win or lose on Fathers Day another successful homestand at 3-2 or 4-1 for the week. The third straight homestand where the record was on the winning side. Best performance since July-September 2010. Home record of 12-5 or 11-6 (depending on Father's Day result) since May 11th-3rd best in the American League.

2.Red Hot: Coming into Fathers Day the Astros have won five of seven, seven of ten, fifteen of twenty-one and are 21-12 since May 11th. Best in the A.L. West and second best in all of baseball behind Toronto and ahead of San Francisco. That's a .636 pace!

3.They Went to Jarred's: With a 5 run 5th inning and a three run double by Matt Dominguez Jarred Cosart's 7 inning start improved his record to 6-5 with a 7-3 victory over the Rays. With the win Cosart has gone 5-3 with a 2.21 ERA in his last ten starts. Eight of those starts have been of the quality variety. For a look at the last time that has happened refer to Roy Oswalt in 2010 April 5th to May 26th of said year.

4.2001: A Space Odyssey-In the event the Astros get a victory on Father's Day it would mark the 8th straight series in which they are victorious. Not since the first three weeks of 2006 has Houston gone seven series without a loss (1 was a tie/split). September 27th, 2005 through April 26th, 2006 was the last time the Astros have won eight straight series. In case you wonder the last time Houston has gone eight straight series in a season without a loss go back to August 16th-September 20th 2001. A year they went 93-69 in the N.L. Central.

5.All Star consideration: You better believe I am high on this bandwagons trail. A legitimate candidate to get to 15-17 wins by seasons end Dallas Keuchel has been red hot. Currently tied for 3rd in the A.L. for wins, since May 8th Dallas Keuchel has been the #1 hurler in innings (54.1), ERA (1.33), complete games (2) and overall record (6-1 Ties him with Yankees hurler Tanaka). Opponents have hit only .220 against him and his ground ball to fly ball outs is tops in the bigs (3.84) Simply put Dallas Keuchel belongs in the conversation for starting pitchers come July 15th.

6.Chris Carter has been in another galaxy where hitting unconscious goes. How about 7 homers in his last 13 games while providing the first walk-off homer in extras over the Diamondbacks on June 12th. According to the Elias Sports Bureau Carter became the first Houston Astro player ever to hit a walk-off blast one game after hitting 2 homers in a contest. His slugging percentage since May 28th is .646. Five of his last six hits have been of the longball variety. His grand slam on June 8th at Minnesota was his 1st in 25 plate appearances with the bags loaded.

7.Road Weary? Not even close! A five game road trip awaits Houston after another successful homestand with 2 games in the nations capital and three in Tampa Bay. Winners of eight out of ten away from Minute Maid Park one must go back to 2010 for the last time Houston has had such success. In the last 15 games on the road the Astros are at a .600 clip.

8.This Chad Can Hang(Except in Florida): Prior to allowing a home run on June 12th to Miguel Montero Chad Qualls had gone 19 appearances and 17.2 innings since allowing a run. A span that began back on April 21st. Including Thursday night's longball moment Qualls has an era of 0.48 with 1 walk and 17 strikeouts. Houston: You now have a closer...

9.Dexter Manly: Since  April 18th Dexter Fowler has been a model of consistency with a .435 on base percentage, leads all of the A.L. with 39 walks and currently third in overall on base percentage (.396)

10.After 70 games in 2013 the Astros were a miserable 26-44. Coming into play on Flag Day a respectable 32-28 despite eight blown leads by the bullpen. Last years 32nd win wasn't achieved until July 6th (A game I attended at Globe Life Park). Win #33 didn't happen until July 12th as we headed for the All-Star break.

Almost one month ahead of the pace set forth last year it is certainly possible to believe and expect that this years Astros team will be at the 40 win mark by the All-Star break this year on July13th. The 51 win mark of 2013 is going to be obliterated. Remember how I told you back in February that this years A.L. West was going to be a tight albeit competitive one? In the cellar and only ten games out of first place? Two games back of the injury depleted Texas Rangers? Can you say Texas Leap Frog? That day is coming...and quickly.

Since Mothers Day weekend this Astros team has played like a playoff caliber team for Bo Porter. Since Fathers Day weekend has now come and gone how about one time Texas Ranger Scott Feldman to best explain what the meaning and importance and impact his Dad had for him?

This date in Astros history: 1967-Jimmy Wynn has himself a three homer game defeating the Reds 6-2. The only three homer game for an Astro until 1994. 1976-Because of heavy flooding the only instance where an Astros game had to be postponed due to inclement weather. 1963-Juan Marichal becomes the first pitcher to hurl a no-hitter over the Houston Astros . JFK was your president and the team was then called the Colt 45's...

Tuesday June 17th at Nationals:

Dallas Keuchel (8-3 2.38) versus Tanner Roark (5-4 2.92)

June 18th at Nationals:

Scott Feldman (3-4 3.98) versus Gio Gonzalez (3-4 4.62)

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will