http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/240588138/aj-hinch-astros-lead-doesnt-affect-play/
A.J. Hinch had just been asked the kind of question Major League managers are almost never asked.
How do your Astros maintain a competitive edge with a 16-game lead in the American League West?
Hinch was prepared for it.
"Just watch us play, and we'll demonstrate that we're going to play every day to win," he said.
There's more.
"I don't think there's a guy in the clubhouse that doesn't love coming to the ballpark," Hinch said. "When you come to the ballpark with this group -- a special group of guys -- they're not satisfied. Whether I say something or not, they're not satisfied."
The 57-27 Astros have the largest division lead prior to the All-Star break since the 2001 Mariners had a 19-game margin. And they are the first team to climb 30 games above .500 before the All-Star break since the 2006 Tigers were 59-29.
Houston has scored 11 more runs than any other Major League team. Incredibly, the Astros have both the most home runs and the fewest strikeouts.
When Hinch was asked about the depth of his lineup, he said, "You don't have an inning when you can breathe [if you're an opposing pitcher]. We're demonstrating that time and time again. Sometimes I feel I could flip that around and put other guys at the bottom of the order, and you wouldn't miss a beat."
Pitching? Houston's 3.91 ERA is the fifth lowest in baseball. The Astros are 18-11 since their ace, Dallas Keuchel, last pitched.
Houston is a respectable 27-18 at Minute Maid Park and a breathtaking 30-9 on the road.
Hinch's three best everyday players -- second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa and right fielder George Springer -- are 27, 22 and 27.
They've never won a championship. Before Houston grabbed an AL Wild Card berth in 2015, the club had averaged 104 losses the previous four seasons.
Altuve and Springer experienced some of that losing. They played then the way their entire group plays now: hard and with a certain joy.
Because they are still relatively young and because they haven't yet won a World Series or made huge money, the Astros believe they're still proving themselves.
And they love what they do and bring energy to the park every single day. To watch them in the dugout during good times is to be reminded of a bunch of kids having the time of their lives.
"We have a lot of fun. We know who we are," Springer said. "We understand who we are as a team. It's been fun to go out there and experience this with 25-plus guys. It's been a special first half for us. Obviously, there's a long way to go. We have to keep playing the same way."
It's been a fun season so far, no doubt. Even more impressive that they're still rolling even with some of their best pitchers on the DL and still have plenty of flexibility to make some moves before the deadline.
None of it matters unless they can go all the way in the postseason, but I'm damn sure enjoying the ride for now!
Go Astros!
