Key relievers playing big role in Astros recent turnaround

Journeyman Will Harris has provided a steady hand has Houston's closer. (Getty Images) It took them until mid-June, but the Houston Astros finally look like a factor in the American League.

After two dominant wins against the Kansas City Royals this weekend, the Astros have now won seven straight and are a season-best three games over .500. Granted, they’re still nine games behind the division-leading Texas Rangers, but they’re back in the thick of the wild-card race and the arrow is finally pointing up after spending 70 games under .500.

It’s a good place to be, and they’ll look to continue their ascension in Sunday’s series finale against Kansas City. That game will be featured as the MLB Free Game of the Day on Yahoo Sports. You can stream the game at Yahoo’s Sports Home, MLB index and video homebeginning at 2:10 p.m. ET.

Of course, all of the attention this weekend is on the offense. Rightfully so too. In their two wins against Kansas City, Houston has combined to score 26 runs.

The biggest overall factor in their turnaround has been the bullpen. For awhile, it felt like Houston’s late-inning games in particular would never put it all together. Closer Luke Gregorson lost his job after blowing eight of his first 13 save opportunities. He’s since rebounded with six consecutive scoreless outings without allowing a hit.

Here's a look at next week's Free Game of the Day schedule. (Yahoo Sports) Ken Giles, whom Houston acquired to be the next man in line or ideally a dominant set up man, struggled even more out of the gate. He finished April with a 9.00 ERA over 11 appearances. He’s since posted a 3.60 ERA over 23 games, which is still a long ways from his sub-.2.00 ERA the last two seasons in Philadelphia, but at least gives manager A.J. Hinch something to feel confident about.

The anchor has been journeyman reliever Will Harris, whom Hinch has now installed as his closer. Harris has been one of the most effective relievers in the entire league, having allowed just three runs all season. He’s converted all six save opportunities and has a 0.83 ERA.

Obviously, bullpen production can be a fickle thing. You never know what you’ll get from week-to-week, let alone month-to-month or season-to-season. That’s especially true when a bullpen is leaned on as much as Houston’s this season. Only Minnesota and Oakland’s relievers have thrown more innings, meaning the group has been taxed early.

But there’s a solid core in place and enough talent around them to believe Houston can sustain success in the bullpen through the summer.

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