The Houston Astros have reclaimed the AL's best record with their latest surge, and much of it has come without significant contributions from their top hitter.
They'll try to get Jose Altuve going and keep rolling for Thursday's series opener against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park (noon pregame, 1:08 first pitch on FOX Sports Detroit).
Houston (27-14) has won seven of eight while averaging 5.1 runs with 15 homers, including at least two each by six different players.
The back end of the run has come despite Altuve, who leads Houston with a .310 average, going 2 for 20 in his last five games. The reigning AL batting champion could be poised to break out after going 9 for 14 in these teams' last series, when Detroit lost two of three in Houston from June 27-29.
Plus, Altuve went 3 for 4 last season against David Price, who starts for Detroit and is coming off two subpar outings.
Houston's rotation, meanwhile, has turned in a quality start in four of five, and Wednesday's 6-1 win over Oakland gave the Astros the best 41-game start in franchise history. They haven't led a division this late since May 22, 2004.
"It's the most fun I've had in a long time," said Dallas Keuchel, who recorded his team-leading sixth victory. "There's absolutely no panic. They took the first game here and we continued to grind and make adjustments. So when we do that it's fun here and I think the guys here are expecting to win now."
Houston's 12-4 road start also matches its best ever, though it has lost nine of 11 in Detroit.
The Tigers (24-17) scored four runs during a three-game losing streak but avoided a sweep against Milwaukee by winning 5-2 on Wednesday. J.D. Martinez is batting .410 during an 11-game hitting streak after a 2-for-4 night, while Yoenis Cespedes went 3 for 3 and Nick Castellanos was 2 for 4 with four RBIs.
Detroit didn't homer for a fourth straight game, however, matching its longest drought of the season. The club tied for fourth in the AL last year with 155 home runs but is tied for 11th this season with 34.
Price (3-1, 3.40 ERA) could partially blame an early 80-minute rain delay for his shakiness Saturday at St. Louis, where he gave up three homers over 6 2-3 innings in a 4-3, 10-inning win. His previous start was worse, allowing a career-high 13 hits and five runs in 6 1-3 innings against Kansas City.
The left-hander owns a 5.58 ERA over his last five outings and has had a rough time in his last two at Comerica, giving up 12 earned runs and 23 hits over 8 2-3 innings.
He's been stellar in his last four versus the Astros, though, posting a 1.97 ERA and striking out 35 in 32 innings.
Houston's Scott Feldman (3-4, 5.06) hasn't done nearly as well against Detroit, going 1-3 in 12 games with a 7.34 ERA - his worst versus any AL team. However, he's coming off a second straight quality start, striking out a season-high 10 and allowing three runs over 6 2-3 innings to beat Toronto in a 6-5 win Saturday.
Miguel Cabrera, who has hit safely in eight straight games, is 9 for 16 off Feldman with two home runs and two doubles.
George Springer had two hits Wednesday following a 3-for-20 slump in his first seven games after returning from a concussion. He hit .375 in seven games versus Detroit last season. He's 1 for 8 lifetime off Price with a homer and six strikeouts.
