Astro Bytes: 8 interesting numbers on the Houston Astros

The Astros are fluctuating in the win column in August, but there are some numbers to keep an eye on.

Eight bytes equal a bit, so here’s eight interesting byte sized Houston Astros related numbers that equals a bit of information in the inaugural edition of Astro Bytes:

10 – Michael Brantley’s 0-for-10 stretch over the last two games has allowed Yuli Gurriel (.317) to supplant him as the leader in batting average in the American League.

12 – Fastball hunting Jose Altuve has a 12 run value against the four-seamer in 2021.  That equates to a 2.2RV/100 four seam fastballs. Altuve is batting .318 on the pitch.

9 – Carlos Correa leads the team in outs above average on defense with nine, which is 12th in MLB this season.  Correa has been fantastic on defense all season and was spectacular in last night’s game.

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

• Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
• Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
• Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
• Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
• Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer

1.96 – Martin Maldonado’s poptime to second base ranks 12th in MLB at 1.96 seconds vs. the MLB average of 2.01.  That doesn’t sound like a huge difference, but in a measurement that is counted in 100s of a second, it’s bigger than it seems at first glance.

.132 – Opponents are batting .132 off Framber Valdez’s curveball after Sunday’s sparkling outing.  It’s Valdez’s second most used pitch after his sinker.

.330 – Since returning from injury Aledmys Diaz is slashing .330/.363/.526 with 4 HR 18 RBI in 97 at bats.

21.3 – Brooks Raley’s hard hit rate of 21.3% is in the 100th percentile in the league.

.500 – Jake Meyers is batting .500 against fastballs in 22 at-bats.

After another loss the Kansas City Royals on Monday, the Astros are now even with the New York Yankees in record (73-52) this season. The Oakland A’s lost as well on Monday, leaving the division lead at 3.5 games.

The Astros are back in action on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. with Luis Garcia countering right-hander Brady Singer. Leaving runners on base and playing down to opponents continues to hurt this ball club.