Are Astros due for a fall? Four MLB starts to buy or sell

After missing the playoffs the past two seasons, the Yankees seem on track to return to the postseason. 

One of the big reasons for their success is the bullpen. After racking up the fourth-best bullpen ERA in the majors in 2021, the third best in 2022 and the best last year, the bullpen is second (2.89) this season. That's a credit to pitching coach Matt Blake, who consistently gets the most out of youngsters and other teams' discarded arms. 

New York has already successfully endured the annual Aaron Judge slump, as the superstar center fielder was hitting just around .200 after April, but his OPS is back over 1.000 after a spectacular May. Juan Soto (13 HRs) did a great job picking up the slack, as did a healthier Anthony Rizzo (24 RBI).

The Yankees have already beaten the next-best AL team, the Guardians, in a series and were an extra-innings loss away from a sweep against Cleveland. With Cy Young Award-winning ace Gerrit Cole set to return soon, New York can even afford regression from one of its overachieving starters.

A hot start to sell | Philadelphia Phillies (37-14)

Are the Phillies a playoff team? Absolutely. A contender in the National League? Probably. A true candidate to continue to pull away from the Atlanta Braves and secure the NL East division title? Let's slow down a second.

Philadelphia has the best record in the majors, but it has spent most of the season beating up on mediocre teams.

The production of several Phillies seems unsustainable. Ranger Suárez might have a great season, but he will not sustain a 1.36 ERA. You might believe Alec Bohm has taken a step up with the bat, but he's not going to finish the season as a .323 hitter with an OPS of around .900.

Everything is going right for the Phillies. However, they haven't played another good team since opening weekend, when they lost a series to Atlanta, who should surge back to win the East again. 

A slow start to worry about | Toronto Blue Jays (23-26)

After years of hoping that its young core would lead them to first in the AL East, Toronto doesn't seem anywhere close to getting the job done.

The concerning issue for the Blue Jays is that its statistical shortcomings have come despite strong performances from key players, such as starters José Berríos (503, 2.98 ERA) and Yusei Kikuchi (2-4, 2.64 ERA). Meanwhile, the offense has not gelled, and time is running out for it to do so.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (five HRs, .282 BA) is swinging well but nowhere near an MVP level, and other young bats (Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio) are disappointing. With even veteran stalwarts such as George Springer (.190 BA) struggling mightily, it might be time for Toronto to blow up the roster. 

A slow start that will even out | Houston Astros (22-28)

Houston has started slowly before, but its season always seems to end with a deep postseason run.

Some of the negative trends with the team are guaranteed to turn around. That includes the team ranking a shocking 27th in ERA (4.58) after finishing eighth (3.94) a year ago and Alex Bregman's .607 OPS.

There are plenty of key players still excelling, including José Altuve (nine HRs) and MVP candidate Kyle Tucker (17 HRs, 36 RBI), and the team's run differential (-8) compared to teams that have had more success suggests the Astros are unlucky.

Houston has won seven of its past 10 games, so don't be surprised if the Astros are in the postseason hunt in October.