First pitch: 3 things I heard this week from the New York Yankees and Houston Astros

Chas McCormick thinks Houston Astros have “character” to keep momentum going

The reigning American League Player of the Week, Chas McCormick, went 7-for-11 with three home runs as the Astros opened the second half of their season in Anaheim against the Angels. His hot hitting continued in Colorado, going 3-for-7 with a home run in the two-game set in Denver.

Entering Thursday 4.5 games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West but in possession of the final AL Wild Card, McCormick believes the Astros have weathered injuries to Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez (among others) and are ready to make their run toward another postseason appearance and defending their World Series crown.

“We’re missing some firepower, but we have a lot of guys that can step up. It’s kinda like the next man up mentality,” McCormick told me. “I played with a lot of these guys in the minor leagues. It’s cool to see a lot of these guys, a lot of new guys, be on this team. And that tells us about our character. It’s how our organization runs. I’ve been in the playoffs these past two years. And you can just tell when stuff hits the fan, we don’t give up or throw in the towel or be upset about anything. We’re a good team, even if we’re missing a couple of guys.”

Houston will likely add to its roster at the upcoming MLB trade deadline, and Altuve and Alvarez should be back soon as well. That talent, and the belief and experience that’s in the locker room, will likely make the Astros a very dangerous club when the postseason arrives.