(SportsRadio 610) - The Astros have the second-best record in baseball 86 games into the season.
They hold a comfortable 12.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the American League West. They are 10.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins for the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, which would give the Astros a bye in the first round.
Their pitching is elite and the offense has picked up over the last month. The Astros are 21-6 in their last 27 games dating back to June 12. Their pitchers entered Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels with the lowest team ERA, lowest starter's ERA and lowest bullpen ERA in the American League. Their starters lead the AL in innings, while the relievers rank second in the AL in save percentage.
But with the Aug. 2 trade deadline approaching, every contender is looking to get better as they make that push toward a World Series.
Audacy MLB insider Bob Nightengale joined Clint Stoerner & "The Show" with his thoughts on what the Astros need. There has been a lot of outside conversation about catcher, or first base.
But Nightengale points out the Astros' need for a left-handed reliever. They haven't had one since Blake Taylor went down with elbow inflammation in early June. Phil Maton, who pitches right-handed, serves as the Astros' specialist for left-handed batters, but they could use some reinforcement there.
"They've got to make some moves in the bullpen," Nightengale said. "They've got to get a strong left-handed reliever at the backend. It's amazing they haven't had one, doing what they're doing. So bullpen is their big concern."
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