We have reached the MLB All-Star Break, signaling the mid-point of the 2023 season (really a little bit past it). Our SportsTalk790 hosts and personalities were asked to give a letter grade for the 2023 Houston Astros so far this season. Here's what they said:
Brian LaLima: B
- The Astros are nine games above .500 and just two back of the AL West lead while battling injuries galore. Their team ERA of 3.66 is good for 2nd best in the big leagues which has helped them stay in the hunt.
Sean Salisbury: B
- Considering all the injuries and lineup changes including the stress the bullpen has been put through, I give them a B. Two games out of first place after all this, it’s a B. It gets better!
Chris Gordy: B-
- The Astros did a good job of dealing with tons of injuries, and the young pitching has kept them afloat, but the veteran hitters like Bregman and Abreu MUST do better in the 2nd half.
Stan Norfleet: B+
- Although major injuries have consistently deprived the Stros of their best lineup; young and inexperienced pieces have unexpectedly kept them in the division race.
Matt Thomas: B
- The Astros’ off season has delivered them nothing. The injuries have hurt in building a consistent lineup. Some of their regulars have underperformed. With all that said, being 2 back of the Rangers is nothing. There is no team that can turn it on like the Astros. I mean nobody.
Ross Villarreal: B+
- Considering the number of injuries, carrying 6+ rookies all year, and the resurgence of the Arlington Rangers, being only two games back in the division is pretty impressive. I expect the team to get healthy and eventually win the division.
Adam Clanton: C+
- Injuries have certainly factored in, but the lineups have seemed inconsistent at best. Would like to see more of what Yainer Diaz can do.
Adam Wexler: B (87)
- They've had injuries (Alvarez, Altuve, Brantley, McCullers Jr., Urquidy, Garcia). They've had money-spending disasters (Abreu, Brantley, Montero). And yet here they are, just 2 games back of 1st place. They have the AL's 4th best record. They have the AL's 3rd best run-differential. They have the 3rd most road wins in the AL. And they just had their best offensive stretch - while Alvarez was sidelined. Another division-title and 2nd seed looks like where they are headed.
Michael Connor: B
- When you are the defending champions, the expectation for the following season is high. Their letter grade gets dinged in large part due to their lack of health this season. Inconsistencies at the plate are the overall story of the season to this point.
Ryan Money: A-
- It has been understated by the national media that the Astros have had so many injuries to star players and have integrated several new players and a mostly rookie pitching staff. To be in playoff contention and 2 games out of the division is underappreciated.
Trey Campbell: B-
- For all of the stars being hurt they have kept pace with a stacked Rangers team. I would grade them higher if they won the M’s series but overall a B- is fair.
Noah Fouts: B-
- Closing the gap with the Rangers at the break was big, but they've been very inconsistent and still need to put everything together.
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