Climbing Tal's Hill
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Astros AM: Yulieski Gurriel Getting Promoted, To Triple-A Fresno

By Eric Huysman

Aug 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a triple during the eighth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a triple during the eighth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Can the Astros’ MVP Jose Altuve Reach 1,000 Hits at Home Versus the Cardinals?

Aug 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a triple during the eighth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Toronto Blue Jays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a triple during the eighth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Toronto Blue Jays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

The Astros enjoyed a well-deserved day off Monday after playing 15 games in 14 days. If you are trying to do the math there, I included the game that didn’t really happen versus the Minnesota Twins. To put it another way, their last day off was between the Yankees and Tigers on July 28, 2016. As I mentioned in yesterday’s Astros AM, the team seemed to lack the focus in Sunday’s loss to the Blue Jays.

Starting tonight, the Astros will face two playoff contenders in the St. Louis Cardinals (2 games) and Baltimore Orioles (4 games). Houston played great in the last three games versus the Twins but struggled versus the AL East co-leader Toronto Blue Jays. As we talked about on yesterday’s Talking Stros, the Astros struggle against the better teams in baseball.

Contenders or Pretenders?

The Astros are in a critical stretch of the season to determine whether they are contenders or pretenders for 2016. No matter what happens this year, the Astros have a strong team that is going through some growing pains this season. Unfortunately, they could be wasting one of the best seasons in Jose Altuve‘s short career. Should the Astros fall out of contention, it will be harder for him to win the MVP this season.

Brandon on Talking Stros last night said that the Stros need to go 4-2 this week. We talked about if the Astros should start Chris Devenski over Mike Fiers versus the Orioles? Fiers has given up 22 homers this year and will be facing the Orioles who lead the American League in homers. Before we worry about the Orioles, we need to play good baseball versus the Astros old rival Cardinals.

Next: News and Notes From August 15th

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