Astros AM Breakdown: Inside the numbers of the nine-game winning streak

The Astros have won nine games in a row. On the road. What a time to be alive!

When the Astros last played in Houston before their latest road trip, the team defeated the Mariners to the score of 7-5. Little did we know that this victory was the beginning of the team’s current win streak of nine games.

And Evan Gattis‘ campaign to be the most fearful hitter in 2018.

Evan Gattis, y’all. pic.twitter.com/ySpYRGOlf8
— Astros Stats (@astro_numbers) June 16, 2018

The player known as “El Oso Blanco” has been on a tear lately. During the team’s nine-game winning streak, Gattis has a slash line of .389/.410/.944 with six home runs. In the words of the late Milo Hamilton, “Holy Toledo!”

And don’t forget about Carlos Correa.

Another day, another Astros home run. pic.twitter.com/z1Fy3wSME5
— Astros Stats (@astro_numbers) June 16, 2018

The Astros, across the board, have played quite well to win nine straight games overall, and eight games in a row on the road.

Inside @Astros 9-game win streak...
64-34 run differential
6-0, 4.33 ERA for starters
3-0, 1.55 ERA for relievers
.323 batting average
18 HR
.963 OPS
Evan Gattis .389 BA, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 1.355 OPS
Altuve .371, Gurriel .361, Kemp .400, Hinch 1.000
Bregman 1.035 OPS
— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) June 16, 2018

Surprisingly enough, Houston has pulled off their longest winning streak of the season with the starting rotation regressing. Over the past nine games per Richard Justice of MLB.com, the starting rotation has a 4.33 ERA over the last nine games. But the staff still leads baseball with a 2.98 ERA and 10.0 fWAR.

And the much-maligned bullpen? Yes, a 1.55 ERA over the last nine games. For the season, the Astros’ bullpen now has a 2.86 ERA and the second-highest strikeout rate (29.5%) for the season.

The Astros have started their recent win streak at the right time. Following a tough stretch of games against the Indians, Yankees, and Red Sox, Houston doesn’t play a team currently with a winning record until the Angels following the All-Star Game. Thanks to Mariners, the AL West race is not over this year by mid-June.

By the way, the team’s first-round pick, Seth Beer, hit his first home run for the Tri-City ValleyCats in his professional debut.

#Astros first-round pick Seth Beer slugs a two-run homer in his professional debut for @ValleyCats. GAMEDAY: https://t.co/ycCwtIDvsn pic.twitter.com/RmLuI4Bn61
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 16, 2018

Houston’s ownership and front office have to be pleased with the state of the franchise today. Top prospects like Forrest Whitley and Kyle Tucker continue to produce while waiting for their major league opportunity. Recent picks like Beer have made a good first impression with the fanbase. And the major league club is winning. Like I stated earlier, what a time to be alive.