Astros reclaim home-field advantage after 2023 struggles

The Astros have reclaimed their home-field advantage after struggling to find their footing at Minute Maid Park.

Last year, Houston wasn't the same team at home as they were on the road. For the first time in five years, they finished the regular season with fewer than 51 wins at home, concluding the season at 39-42 (.481 winning percentage). This was a far cry even from their 2022 home record, which was 55-26.

Perhaps to turn their luck around, Houston painted the right side of the batter’s eye beyond the center-field fence green to neutralize distractions in September 2023. Whether it was the green paint or dropping all four home games of the American League Championship Series to the Rangers last October, something eventually clicked.

The Astros have not lost a game at home since falling 13-5 to the Detroit Tigers on June 15th. Their 10-game home win streak is the second longest streak in Minute Maid Park history, behind their franchise-best 18-game win streak set in 2004. Ironically, their 10th consecutive home victory came on Friday after defeating their Lone Star rivals, 6-3.

After ending last season with the ninth-worst home record in the majors, the Astros now boast a 28-19 record on their home turf, the eighth-best record in baseball. Over the past 10 homestands, Houston has outscored opponents by 58 runs, winning all but two series. A victory on Saturday would clinch a sixth consecutive home series victory for the Astros.

Not only have the Astros turned things around at home, but they have clawed their way back into contention. Houston entered June sitting eight games below .500 at 25-33 but have since gone an MLB-best 25-11 since June 1st, outscoring opponents by 61 runs. They went from last place in the division to one win shy of first place. What is most impressive is that the Astros have completely turned their season around without many of their top players on the active roster.

While the Astros still have a long way to set a new franchise-best winning streak at home, restoring their home-field advantage will go a long way in Houston's quest to win the division and their third World Series trophy.