Are The Houston Astros Finally Clicking on All Cylinders?

The 2023 Houston Astros are finally starting to resemble the championship-caliber team that won the 2022 World Series.

And the rest of the league should take note, despite Houston’s mediocre 6-7 record heading into this weekend’s Lone Star series against the Texas Rangers.

The Astros are turning the page in the right direction for the first time this season, and we’re only two short weeks into a 162-game trek to October.

Some of the highlights over the past week include:

Chas McCormick has been on fire -- both offensively and defensively.

McCormick has solidified himself as the starting center fielder for the Astros, and is batting .275 this season through 40 at-bats with nine RBI, four stolen bases and two home runs.

Over the last seven games, McCormick is batting .300 with eight RBI, two walks and two home runs.

He has also had some incredible plays defensively, taking hits away with diving catches and highlight-reel grabs.

Mauricio Dubon has been filling in superbly for the injured Jose Altuve.

So far this season, Dubon is batting .361 through 36 at-bats with two RBI.

Over the past week, the second baseman is batting .414 with two walks and two RBI.

He's also been superb defensively as Altuve works his way back from a thumb injury that will leave him sidelined until this summer.

Alex Bregman is back -- and he's really proven it over the past few games.

After a slow start, Houston's All-Star third baseman is now batting .196 through 51 at-bats with six RBI and two home runs.

Over the past seven games, however, Bregman is batting .222 with seven walks, six RBI and two home runs.

His last three games have been remarkable, with Bregman going 4-for-11 at the plate with five RBI, five walks and two home runs.

Corey Julks is the real deal, and Houston's skipper can verify that.

Right fielder Julks is batting .294 this year through 34 at-bats, garnering two RBI and a home run.

Over the past seven games, Julks is batting .308 with two RBI and a home run.

After hitting his first Major League home run last week, the right fielder's high-five to manager Dusty Baker left the skipper's hand ringing.

"My hand is still ringing," Baker told MLB.com. "I kind of put my hand out there reluctantly and he still found it."

Hunter Brown is finally starting to look like the No. 1 prospect Houston drafted in 2019.

So far this season, Brown has a 3.09 ERA and a 1-0 record through two starts.

His last start was phenomenal, with Houston's top prospect tossing seven scoreless innings while striking out seven and allowing just two hits.

Brown is scheduled to start again on Saturday, April 15.

Following a much-needed day off, the Astros return to the diamond on Friday, April 14 against the Texas Rangers, with first pitch slated for 7:10 p.m. CT at Minute Maid Park.

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