Astros Early-Season Success Points to Health Being a Big Key in 2026

Entering the 2026 season, one thing that the Houston Astros needed to be a key was keeping Yordan Alvarez healthy. Multiple injuries limited him to just 48 games last season.

Missing his bat in the lineup caught up with the Astros, who faded down the stretch of the season and ended up not only losing the American League West Division title to the Seattle Mariners, but also cost them a wild card spot. You can't lose a key piece of your lineup for as long as Houston did and expect to continue to produce enough to make the playoffs.

Through seven games this season, the Astros are off to a 5-2 start, and a lot of that can be attributed to Alvarez being healthy. It drives home the point that any success they are going to have this season will depend on Alvarez's health.

Astros Yordan Alvarez Key to Hot Start to 2026 Season

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez — Yordan Alvarez | Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Through seven games against the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox, Alvarez is slashing .417/.563/.917 with three home runs and six walks, three intentional. Brian McTaggart of MLB.com tabbed Alvarez's health as a difference-maker early this season for the Astros.

"Alvarez was held to only 48 games last year, missing 100 games with a hand injury and then the final couple of weeks of the regular season with a sprained ankle. The Astros have made keeping Alvarez in the lineup a priority, and his red-hot start to the season provided a reminder of his impact,'' noted McTaggart.

The offense struggled through its first two games of the season against the Angels. Houston was only able to plate two runs combined in back-to-back losses. However, the Astros have won five straight, including sweeping the Red Sox, and are averaging just under nine runs a game.

"With Alvarez leading the way, the Astros scored at least six runs in five consecutive games from Saturday through Wednesday and are averaging 8.6 runs per game in that span,'' wrote McTaggart.

Against Boston, the Houston offense made a statement. They scored eight runs in Monday night's 8-1 win when they chased Ranger Suárez after 4.1 innings in his Boston debut after allowing four runs on seven hits. Against Brayan Bello on Tuesday night, Houston tagged him for six runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings. Alvarez had a solo home run off Bello in the fifth of a 9-2 win.

On Wednesday against Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet, Houston chased him from the game after five innings, where he allowed five runs on six hits. Alvarez had two hits, including a double off Crochet.

Houston's offense is going to need to produce all season if they are going to get back into the postseason. A lot of that will depend on Alvarez's health all season long, but through the first seven games, you can see how important he is to Joe Espada's lineup.