It’s better this way: Astros reach All-Star break one game out of first place – Houston Public Media

Eric Christian Smith/AP

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The Houston Astros entered the All-Star break in much better shape than the club’s early-season struggles would have suggested. Despite lingering injury issues, the Astros are just one game out of first place in the American League West with a 50-46 record.

In the audio above, we discuss the ballclub’s turnaround with Bleav at the Astros Podcast co-host Jeff Balke explains how a combination of struggling players making career improvements, a surprisingly excellent first half of the season from pitcher Hunter Brown and a schedule that started rough and has since softened have put the Astros exactly where they probably should have been all along: near the top of the division and a few games above .500.

Balke and Houston counts Host Craig Cohen also discusses Jose Altuve not making another All-Star game and the club selecting Sam Houston State catcher Walker Janek with the 28th overall pick in Sunday’s Major League Baseball draft.

They also remember former Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones, who died this weekend.