E5 Yaz said:
The fascinating thing about the Astros is that they've allowed the fewest runs in the AL and have the second best differential ... which really adds to the perception that, because of the pen's problems, they're losing a lot of close games.
Houston has won 6 of its last 10, so if they can finish well in Seattle and Arizona, they might have a chance of getting back in as a WC if one team dominates the Rangers-Angels series
Houston's problem, and it's been ongoing all year, not just of late, is that they are practically a different team at home versus on the road. They sport the league's worst record on the road (30-47). They might be 6-4 in their last 10 games, but that includes 8 games at home (with all of the home losses coming to the streaking Angels).
I'm not sure their road problems can be laid at the feet of the bullpen exclusively, but it's those road problems that are a big part of their "collapse" out of the division lead. They went 2-8 on a road trip through the division (@OAK, @LAA, @TEX) a couple weeks ago, going from 2 up in the division to 2.5 back. They really haven't recovered from that despite the intervening home stand (5-4).