"That's what our main focus is...win the division” - Astros manager Dana Brown optimistic on team’s future after recent success
Dana Brown and the Houston Astros have started turning it around after a disastrous start to the season. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, and the fanbase is beaming with excitement.
The recent sweep has pushed them even further up the American League East standings. Going into Tuesday, they sit in second place, just 5.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners.
On a five-game winning streak, Brown went on a recent episode of MLB Network's "MLB Now" to discuss his team's recent success. While it has been a journey so far, his squad is finally starting to click.
"Earlier on, we had some struggles in the bullpen, then we had some injuries with the starting pitching, and then our bats weren't alive. Well, right now, the bats are alive, we're getting pretty good starts, we're catching the baseball, and the bullpen has been pretty good," - said Dana Brown.
Houston has been one of baseball's most consistent over the last few seasons. That is why it was so odd to see them struggling, but now, things feel normal as they have got their feet underneath them.
"The goal as I mentioned was to get back to .500, then go on that run and try to take over the lead in the division. That's what our main focus is...win the division" - said Brown.
This is a team that you do not want to sleep on. They are playing good baseball right now and should only get better when a star slugger makes his way off the IL.
Dana Brown provides an update on Astros slugger Kyle Tucker
Astros slugger Kyle Tucker has been on the IL since early June after he fouled a ball off his shin. While he did not fracture anything, he has struggled to come off the injured list.
Dana Brown provided an update that should excite Houston fans. He could be back on the field before they know it.
"He should be back to baseball activities sometime this week. And if he can get back to baseball activities, that's when things can turn the corner pretty quickly" - said Brown.
However, the front office will not rush him back. They are playing solid baseball and know just how important Tucker is. Before going down with his injury, he was hitting .266/.395/.584 with 19 home runs and 40 runs batted in.