Astros' Carlos Correa shows why he remains the best trade-deadline acquisition

Since being acquired in a July 31 trade from the Minnesota Twins, Correa has been on a tear. He's recorded a hit in nine consecutive games and is hitting .390 (16-of-41) overall with two home runs, seven runs batted in and seven runs scored.

The Astros are only 5-5 since the deadline, but Correa's outstanding reunion is a promising sign as the team gets healthy on the mound.

On Monday, Cristian Javier made his first start since May 21, 2024, following Tommy John surgery and allowed two earned runs and three hits with five strikeouts in five innings.

Correa hasn't been the only deadline acquisition to make a nice first impression. Utility infielder Ramon Urias started at second base on Monday and went 3-of-4, including a two-run home run for his first with the Astros. In seven games, he's hitting .333 with three RBI.

Outfielder Jesus Sanchez, a third deadline addition, was out of the starting lineup against the Red Sox but reached base in his first eight games with the Astros before an 0-of-3 outing on Sunday against the New York Yankees.

The Astros have needed the offensive infusion with the Seattle Mariners (66-53) breathing down their necks in the AL West. Entering Monday, Houston (66-52) held a half-game lead in the division, the closest it's been since June 4.

With Correa in the lineup, the Astros are a much bigger threat to win the AL for the fifth time in the past nine seasons. His return has gone better than anyone could have predicted, and there's reason to believe it could only improve from here.