The Astros have completed the ‘New York Nine’ and done so by making a statement to the league once again. Until they show otherwise, the American League still runs through Houston.
It was easy to wonder how the club would look in this nine game run against two of the best teams in baseball this season. The end result is something that sparks a fan base into believing that they are about to witness another special run.
Special has become ordinary with the Houston Astros for years now. For a fan base that had no idea what this was like, for so many, all of this has become the complete norm. The nine game run should serve as a reminder to all of those that enjoy this club of how special what you have is. It should provide a reminder that you should enjoy every little moment in the one hundred sixty two game regular season run.
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The New York Yankees still maintain a healthy gap with the Astros in the battle for the best record in the American league. Based on the results that New York has gotten out of their club this season, that gap might not change much moving forward. They, like the Astros, will hit a wall and a few bumps in the road as the season moves forward, but if all plays out like their records show, these two will meet for a third time this October in the American League Championship Series.
With the trade deadline coming up in one month, the first five games between these two clubs showed that both have needs if they want to walk away winners if baseball gets what it wants in October with these two battling once again.
The Astros have struggled at the plate this season compared to their typical production they have received from their bats the last few years. Over the last few weeks there have been enough signs that things are going back in the right direction, alleviating some of the pressure James Click might have felt just a few weeks ago to improve the lineup. Upgrades still must be considered in the outfield and with role player depth. Aledmys Diaz has had a rough season at best and despite his big home run this week against the Mets, upgrading from Jason Castro might be something the club will do as well. Despite a record of 7-2 over the last nine games, the most glaring need now might be one more high leverage reliever at the back end of the bullpen.
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What was exposed most over this stretch of games was that not much has changed for the New York Yankees. A team with great potential that is still held back by swinging and missing far too much. Aaron Judge is a monster for the Bronx Bombers, but one man alone cannot carry you for a deep October run. Expect many things to happen over the next month, including seeing the Yankees load up on the flaws that the Astros have exposed.
The road is long before October comes. If everything goes to plan, these two teams will expect to see each other there once again.