MLB wrap: Astros make case for league's best lineup by dismantling Rays ace Charlie Morton

Thomas Lott

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MLB wrap: Astros make case for league's best lineup by dismantling Rays ace Charlie Morton image

It's the year of the home run, there is no doubt about it.

Two teams could hit 300 or more as the Twins are on pace to do it and the Yankees have a shot, as well, and both of those organizations are getting well-deserved credit for their success.

In Houston, though, the Astros have been somewhat forgotten. But as they showed on Tuesday by scoring six runs on seven hits and two walks in four innings off of American League Cy Young candidate Charlie Morton in a 15-1 win over the Rays, this lineup is as good as any in MLB.

Tuesday, the Astros scored two runs in the third, four in the fourth, five in the sixth and another in the seventh. They had eight extra-base hits (three home runs) including two homers from rookie Yordan Alvarez, who is now one away from Carlos Correa's Astros rookie record of 22.

Every batter in the lineup had at least one hit while four had at least two. Josh Reddick, Alex Bregman and Alvarez all had three apiece.

The Rays had the second-best ERA in MLB at 3.56 coming into the game but the Astros' offense has quietly been on par with the best in MLB all season.

Take a look below: 

Note: The leader of these categories are in bold. All stats are entering Tuesday's games and via baseball-reference.com.

Team Hits Runs HR RBIs BA OBP SLG OPS sOPS+
Yankees 1243 777 244 741 .272 .343 .490 .833 118
Twins 1247 761 253 734 .271 .337 .500 .838 119
Astros 1247 724 222 704 .274 .350 .487 .837 120
Dodgers 1163 722 229 702 .258 .340 .474 .814 114

Sleep on the Astros' lineup all you want, but they'll drop six runs on your best pitcher and call it a night. 

Studs of the Night

Cubs starter Yu Darvish threw eight innings of one-run ball in a 5-2 win over the Mets.

Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak went 2 for 3 with a home run, two RBIs and a walk in Toronto's 3-1 win over the Braves.

Indians designated hitter Franmil Reyes went 2 for 3 with a home run, three RBIs and two walks in a 10-1 win over the Tigers.

Duds of the Night

Adam Eaton, Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto, Asdrubal Cabrera, Matt Adams and Yan Gomes combined to go 0 for 19 with eight strikeouts in a 2-0 loss to the Orioles.

Highlight

Pirates lefty Steven Brault made a great catch in a 5-4 win over the Phillies.

What's Next

Cardinals (72-58) at Brewers (67-64) 2:10 p.m. ET — Honestly, forget the fact this is a game between two contenders for the National League Central and watch this game for this — Jack Flaherty is pitching for St. Louis and he is 4-0 with a 0.64 ERA for the Cardinals in his last seven starts and hasn't given up more than two runs in a start since July 2. He is a sight to behold right now.

Thomas Lott