Believe it or not, the Houston Astros are still one of the better teams in the league.It seems almost impossible that the Astros could be winning games, considering they've traded away or let so many guys walk in free agency.
They have had issues with injuries, and their pitching staff is one of the least exciting in baseball.They've tried with a variety of guys, but with a team ERA of 4.52 and a WHIP of 1.35, there isn't much to be excited about when it comes to their rotation.Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., on June 12, 2026.
(Charlie Riedel/AP)They did call up Miguel Ullola, who takes the ball today for the Astros.He is really more of a reliever than a starter.
His last appearance was on Sunday, and he threw one inning, allowing one hit and a strikeout against the Diamondbacks.I'm not quite sure how deep into this game he will go, but he's never pitched more than two innings in a stint in his career, so my guess is that it won't be overly deep.
Collectively, the Astros have the 17th-ranked bullpen in baseball with an ERA of 4.11.The Tampa Bay Rays are one of the best teams in baseball and have a solid chance to win 95+ games this season.They are currently in control of their own destiny and have a three-game lead over the New York Yankees.
The question about this team is mostly about how they will perform in the postseason, not if they are going to make it.There is still some question about the Astros getting into the postseason, for comparison.
This series also holds a little bit more excitement as the leading MVP candidates take each other on.Junior Caminero and Yordan Alvarez are jockeying for the award and have fairly similar statistics.Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays grounds out to the pitcher during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa., on July 14, 2026.
(Al Bello/Get...