Star Performer of the Week: May 5 – 11

The Astros managed a couple of wins in their seven games last week. So… I’ll go ahead and dust of the Star Performer Award for the second time this season.

The most recent week’s list of candidates was not a long one. Coming in a close second: The starting rotation

Going into tonight’s game against the Rangers, Astros starters have posted five consecutive quality starts. Brett Oberholtzer gave up four runs in six innings last Tuesday and was sent to AAA. Since then, the five remaining starters have kept the Astros in every ball game. Astros starters had a 2.96 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP for the week.

Way to go, Astros starters! That’s the kind of performance I could get used to. Unfortunately some other aspects of the game didn’t go well at all.

But there was one player whose performance I felt was worthy of praise. This weeks Star Performer Award goes to Jose Altuve.

“Thank you for this coveted award. I owe it all to my Mom.” Jose Altuve ( Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports)

The Astros second baseman continues to be the most dependable offensive weapon on the club. Although Altuve’s numbers weren’t incredibly impressive, I felt like he did a great job as an all-around player. Jose was 8 for 28 with two walks and two steals during the week.

Altuve also drove in a team high four runs. His two RBI double in the fifth inning of  Thursday’s game in Detroit brought the Astros from behind and put them ahead to stay. His 2-run single with two outs in the ninth inning of Saturday night’s game should have done the same.

George Springer also deserves honorable mention. After a diving catch to rob Miguel Cabrera of a hit on Thursday, George’s first career homerun got the Astros on the board in what would turn out to be a 6-2 win. Springer also connected for another homer on Saturday and is starting to look a little more comfortable in a big league uniform.

Chad Qualls also gets honorable mention. Qualls got the final three outs in both of the wins and appears to be establishing himself as the closer. (I’m like a politician now. If I say it enough — it will eventually be accepted as fact.)