Five surprises of the 2015 MLB season so far

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May 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston: You finally have something to root for

For the past few years, the Houston Astros have been the joke of the league. Over the last four years the Astros have lost 92, 111, 107 and 106 games. Last year’s 92-loss total was the first time during the rough stretch that the Astros didn’t lose more than 100 games.

This year, they lead the AL West with a 23-13 record, 4.5 games ahead of the Angels for first, 10 ahead of formerly dominant Oakland.

Manager A.J. Hinch deserves a lot of credit for the Astros success early on, however long this stretch goes, whether it roll to the All-Star break or even the postseason (can you imagine the Astros in October?).

A lot of credit also goes to starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Last season, Keuchel went 12-9 with a 2.91 ERA. So far this season he is 5-0 with a 1.87 ERA, third in the American League behind Seattle’s Felix Hernandez (6-0, 1.85 ERA) and Oakland’s Sonny Gray (4-1, 1.61 ERA).

Next: So Amazin'

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