Climbing Tal's Hill
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Astros Blast: Time to Come Home

By Cody Poage

Apr 10, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) talks to catcher Jason Castro (15) in the fourth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Keuchel was charged with the loss as the Brewers beat Astros 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) talks to catcher Jason Castro (15) in the fourth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Keuchel was charged with the loss as the Brewers beat Astros 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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The road woes of 2015 have seem to follow the Astros into 2016.

However, we are only six games into the season and the road woes could be a distant memory one month from now. Or not. Regardless of the road woes, Minute Maid Park has been kind to the Astros since their return to relevancy last season. In fact, the team finished with a 53-28 win-loss record at home in 2015. Only time will tell if the team will experience the same fortune this year.

There were still positives to take from the Milwaukee series despite the Astros losing two out of three games. For instance, the pitching staff experienced a rebound of sorts this past weekend by allowing seven runs in the past two games while allowing thirty over the previous three.

Also, the offense has for the most part has continued to be a strength of the Astros with Tyler White and Carlos Correa leading way. Besides Trevor Story, the Colorado Rockies sensational rookie shortstop, White has perhaps been the best rookie in all of baseball. In fact, the 25-year old leads the team in RBI (9), OPS (1.758), and hits (10) while tied for the team lead in home runs with three. Quite impressive!

Tyler White 2016 Spray Chart through 4/10/2016; courtesy of Brooks Baseball.
Tyler White 2016 Spray Chart through 4/10/2016; courtesy of Brooks Baseball. /

Hopefully the upcoming home series against the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers will help put the Astros back on track. I’m afraid that will be no easy task though. After all, you are talking about the reigning World Series champions in the Royals and the always dangerous Tigers. These young Astros will surely be tested on this seven-game stretch before heading to Arlington to take on the Texas Rangers. The month of April is shaping up as a tough one.

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But help may be on the way of the Astros as Lance McCullers and Evan Gattis appear closer to returns to the active roster in the coming weeks. Gattis appears to be the closest to a return as he progresses in his rehab assignment with the Corpus Christi Hooks. However, adding Gattis back to the mix appears to be more of a luxury for manager A.J. Hinch while McCullers pending return seems to be more of a necessity. And after this first time through the rotation it appears that the team may need help sooner rather than later.

Next: Houston Astros Prospects: Where Will Alex Bregman Play?

Houston Astros News and Notes From Around FanSided

Astros Prospects Kyle Tucker and Daz Cameron Assigned to Quad Cities [Climbing Tal’s Hill – Larry Manch]

Houston Astros: The Beardless Evan Gattis Might Practice Catching [Climbing Tal’s Hill – Eric Huysman]

Houston Astros: Power Potential and Predictions [Climbing Tal’s Hill – Blake Permenter]

**Statistics provided by Baseball-Reference and MLB.com**

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