HOUSTON — The Houston Astros had braced themselves for elevated expectations heading into this season following a series of savvy veteran acquisitions that positioned the club to take the significant leap from ordinary postseason contender to legitimate World Series title threat.
Now, with the unofficial first half of the schedule complete, the Astros (60-29) stand poised to use the final 73 games to claim the American League West pennant, secure homefield advantage throughout the AL playoffs, and complete what has been an arduous journey from a lambasted teardown and protracted rebuild.
Houston, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers, are the first teams to record 60 wins prior to the All-Star Game break since the 2003 Braves.