DETROIT– When he was betting the Braves and the Dodgers in the mid-1970s, Dusty Baker got well acquainted with the Cincinnati Reds– the star-studded team that won back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 76 and made the moniker the Big Red Machine.
No one is all set to put the 2021 Astros in the exact same classification as that famous Reds club, however Bakers team is playing so well, and is on such a roll offensively, that he suggested Houston ought to maybe have a nickname of its own after it won its 11th consecutive video game by pounding Detroit, 12-3, in Thursday nights series opener at Comerica Park.
” Were not rather the Big Red Machine, but perhaps were the Orange Wagon or something,” Baker said. “Were approaching some historical numbers and figures as far as striking is concerned. … Right now, theyre as excellent as it gets.”
The Astros (47-28), who are a Major League-best 20-4 considering that May 30, will try to match the franchise record of 12 consecutive wins Friday behind left-hander Framber Valdez, whos won 4 straight starts. Houston has actually won 15 of its previous 17 games.
” Its certainly been a lot of enjoyable,” said shortstop Carlos Correa, whos slashing.410/.531/.769 during the winning streak. “Seeing everyone happy after every game, its what you want to see from your ballclub.
The Astros made their very first win over previous manager A.J. Hinch, whose Tigers swept them at Minute Maid Park in April. Houston scored just 8 runs in three games because series, but it matched that total by the fifth inning Thursday.
The Astros are averaging 7.1 runs per video game over their previous 24 contests and 8.5 runs per video game throughout their winning streak. Theyve reached double-digit runs 5 times in the past 11 games, consisting of 3 of the past 4. Houston has slammed 35 hits over the past 2 video games, and on Thursday, it went 18-for-45 (.400) versus Detroit pitching, loading the bases in six of the nine innings.
” Obviously, you hit men or they draw strolls, and then all of an unexpected you make a mistake or 2 and theyre going to exploit it,” Hinch stated. If you can avoid those miscues, youre going to have a lot better chance of keeping their run scoring down.
Even without hurt third baseman Alex Bregman and star 2nd baseman Jose Altuve (day off), the Astros offense downed along with an 18-hit attack behind Correa (3-for-4, 3 RBIs), first baseman Yuli Gurriel (3-for-5) and center fielder Myles Straw (4-for-6). Houston has scored 93 runs during its 11-game tear, capped Thursday by a ninth-inning grand slam from Yordan Alvarez.
” Its fantastic,” Astros catcher Martín Maldonado stated. Everybody is getting excellent at-bats and passing the baton to the next guy.
However Houstons beginning pitching has actually been every bit as excellent as its bats. Right-hander Luis Garcia (6-4) threw 6 innings, allowing two work on 7 hits and 2 walks while setting out 5. Hes 6-1 with a 2.33 ERA over his previous 8 starts.
Astros beginners have a 2.71 ERA and 16 quality starts in 24 games given that May 30, and Houstons defense has been excellent, too. Still, Baker isnt entirely satisfied.
” We left [14] males on base, left the bases filled 3 or four times,” Baker said. “Thats not clicking on all cylinders, especially since we had actually the bases loaded with one out a couple of times and didnt get anyone in. … Plus, among our main cylinders is out in Bregman. We get Bregman back and we keep doing what were doing, then well be clicking on all cylinders.”

” Were not quite the Big Red Machine, however maybe were the Orange Wagon or something,” Baker stated.” Its definitely been a lot of fun,” stated shortstop Carlos Correa, whos slashing.410/.531/.769 during the winning streak. The Astros are balancing 7.1 runs per game over their previous 24 contests and 8.5 runs per video game throughout their winning streak. Theyve reached double-digit runs five times in the past 11 video games, consisting of three of the past 4. Houston has actually slammed 35 hits over the past 2 games, and on Thursday, it went 18-for-45 (.400) against Detroit pitching, loading the bases in 6 of the nine innings.