Astros AM Breakdown: Appreciating the back-to-back-to-back home run barrage

The Astros are an absolute joy to watch. Seriously, did you see the home run barrage in the sixth inning on Wednesday?

When George Springer entered the batter’s box in the bottom of the sixth inning, the score was tied 1-1. A competitive game by the Astros and Rays. A fun baseball game to watch.

But this author is in Savannah, Georgia for a few days. So, needless to say, I depended on score alerts and highlights on Twitter for Wednesday’s game. When I checked in right before Springer’s at-bat, I was confident that the Astros would find a way to win. Why shouldn’t I for a team that had won eleven of the past twelve games?

Then something unfolded.

Back-to-back-to-back home runs!

In the words of the late Milo Hamilton, “Holy Toledo!”

Yes, this sequence of events was the first time since 2008 to take place for the Astros.

George Springer homers
Alex Bregman homers
José Altuve homers

The @Astros’ 1st back-to-back-to-back HR since May 2, 2008 (Miguel Tejada, Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 21, 2018

Houston’s win expectancy at the start of Springer’s at-bat?

57.4%.

Fast forward to the start of Carlos Correa‘s at-bat and the score was 4-1 in favor of Houston.

A 91.6% win expectancy.

A notable swing towards Houston’s favor.

The home run barrage by the lineup is a prime example why you cannot count them out. Springer, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, and Correa form one of the best tops of the order in baseball today. For example, all four hitters possess an OPS of .840 or higher. In 16 plate appearances on Wednesday, the Houston quartet finished the day 6-for-15 with four home runs. Even if a game feels lost in the early innings, the lineup can make up ground in a heartbeat. See the 2017 World Series. Or break the game like they did in the finale against the Rays.

The Astros are in a good spot entering Thursday. Not only has the team won twelve of their last thirteen games, Houston now has a three-game lead over the Mariners in the AL West. And the team is the first to fifty wins this season. You can’t help but be impressed by the Astros this season.

Like I said, this baseball game was a fun one to watch. Thankfully, I do have MLB TV, so I will be watching the game when I have the opportunity. In other news, Savannah is a nice town. It is also humid. Like Houston. So, I guess I am not too far away from home.