The Astros have been struggling of late and the All-Star break did not help as they were swept by the Giants and have now lost 13 of their last 14 games. Wit this losing streak the Astros have fallen to last place in the N.L. Central and are 17.5 games out of first place. The only team within striking distance is the Chicago Cubs, but even they are 3.5 games ahead of the Astros.
The next series for the Astros is a four-game West Coast road trip when they face the San Diego Padres.
Read more on the Astros over at The Crawfish Boxes and also SB Nation Houston.Baseball Nation is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.