Houston Astros: 3 thoughts on why August remains unfriendly for team
Thought #1: The Astros’ track record in August
I’m starting with 2015 because this was where things really took off for our team.
2015
Record on July 31: 58-46 (2.0 lead)
August 2015: 15-13
Record on August 31: 73-59 (4.0 lead)
September/October Record: 11-16
We entered August of 2015 with a two-game lead in the AL West. By the end of the month, we gained two games even though September would see us finish with a wild card berth.
2016
Record on July 31: 55-49 (6.0 behind)
August 2016: 16-13
Record on August 31: 71-62 (8.5 behind)
September/October Record: 13-16
In 2016, the Astros were 2.5 games back before falling to 6.0 games behind the Rangers thanks to a sweep at the hands of the Tigers. Thank you, Justin Verlander. Despite finishing 16-13 in August, the Astros dropped to 8.5 games behind and had no chance of catching up.
2017
Record on July 31: 69-36 (16.0 lead)
August 2017: 11-17
Record on August 31: 80-53 (11.5 lead)
September/October Record: 21-8
August 2017 will be a marked month in our franchise history. Back July 31, the Astros pounded the Rays 14-7 in Tampa Bay to lead their division by 16 games. That would soon be overshadowed by the notion the Astros stood pat at the first trade deadline. Houston lost the next three games and would lose fourteen more, including a season-long five-game losing streak at the hands of the White Sox and Rangers. Finishing 11-17 in August, the only losing month in 2017, the only negative to the month, aside from a few neutral games in Tampa, was that the lead had shrunk 4.5 games down to 11.5. We know the rest of the story.
2018
Record on July 31: 68-41 (4.0 lead)
August 2018: 14-12
Record on August 31: 82-53 (1.5 lead)
September/October Record: 21-6
Last year, the Astros led by four games after July. Houston wound up 14-12 in August. But they did have to share a lead on a few occasions as Oakland was tied with them for three days. This month would wind down to a 1.5 game lead entering September. It only took a hot September to pull themselves away from the rest of the pack.