The fact the Houston Astros have one of baseball's best records heading into Thursday isn't a big surprise. After all, they were picked by a great many to win the American League West. This is a team that made the playoffs two years ago and is filled with exciting young talent. So far in 2017, they're playing like the best team in the American League.
After their 4-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, Houston is 23-11, with a 6-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West, and they are just one-hundredth of a percentage point behind the New York Yankees (21-10) for the best record in baseball.