2025 MLB First-Half Recap: Houston Astros

The Pitching

The Good

The Astros’ lineup heading into 2025 looked very different compared to past seasons. No Alex Bregman, no Kyle Tucker, and Jose Altuve — a mainstay at second base — moved to left field after down seasons in the field.

Despite losing two former All-Stars and a sluggish year from the team’s marquee free agent acquisition last winter, the Astros’ offense has been good yet again.

As of July 24, the Astros had six players in double digits in home runs, including two catchers — Yainer Diaz & Victor Caratini — plus Isaac Paredes. Paredes, considered a natural fit in Houston thanks to his pull-heavy tendency, hit 19 home runs in the first half.

Rookie Cam Smith, a part of the Kyle Tucker trade along with Isaac Paredes, batted over .300 in both May and June, and posted a respectable .765 OPS in the first half.

The Astros’ pitching staff, though, has been what has gotten the team to first place in the AL West.

Despite injuries to their pitching staff, the ‘Stros 1-2 punch of Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez — order doesn’t matter — has been spectacular. Brown, a 2025 All-Star, struck out 144 over his first 119 innings, while Valdez’s craftiness gave the team length. And, in an era where starting pitchers don’t get wins often, Valdez led the AL in wins (11) as of the 24th of July.

Lastly, their bullpen, despite losing bodies in the offseason, remains a strong force.

Josh Hader has been excellent, as has setup man Bryan Abreu. And thanks to left-handers Bryan King, Bennett Sousa, and Steven Okert, the team can match up well against hitters from either side.

The Bad

Injuries, injuries, and injuries. That was the theme for the first half.

Yordan Alvarez, thanks to a hand injury that turned out to be a fracture not discovered until weeks later, only played 29 games in the first half. He’s yet to return. Jeremy Pena and Isaac Paredes, two contributors for the team in the first half, are also currently on the IL.

Their pitching staff has also not been spared, as eight different pitchers have made five or more starts for the team this season.

Ronel Blanco and Hayden Wesneski both required Tommy John surgery and are done for 2025. Spencer Arrighetti, a key cog for the Astros in the second half last season, broke a thumb after a freak injury in batting practice this past April.

Additionally, the other sour note of the first half was Christian Walker. Walker, the former Gold Glove winner, was signed by the Astros this past December to fill a long-standing void at first. However, the veteran first baseman hit just .229 (.660 OPS) in the first half.

The good news, though, is Walker’s production has stablized in recent weeks. No, he’s not for significant power. However, from June 15 through July 23, Walker’s slash line of .293/336/.440 (.776 OPS), along with four home runs & nine extra-base hits, is a step forward.

What to Expect in the Second Half

Thanks to a four-game win streak that the Astros rattled off across the team’s first two series out of the break, Houston is back atop the American League standings.

However, with the Astros reeling with injuries to their lineup — and with Isaac Paredes out for a considerable amount of time — it stands to wonder how Houston can upgrade (and who the team will get_ on offense. Particularly, to add a left-handed bat to mesh with a heavy right-handed hitting team.

First-half stats as of All-Star break. Cited stats, unless otherwise indicated, in paragraphs as of writing.