Astros Strengthen AL West Lead

Yordan Alvarez hit two solo home runs in the Houston Astros' 7-2 win against the Kansas City Royals, bringing his season total to 30 and marking his 21st career multi-home run game. The Astros have shown strong starting pitching, with Yusei Kikuchi and Framber Valdez delivering consistent performances, and four of their pitchers ranked among the top 50 in MLB. Despite missing much of the first half of the season, Valdez remains in contention for the most wins among AL pitchers, currently tied for third with 13 wins. The team's rotation, now including a six-man lineup with the return of Justin Verlander, holds an impressive ERA, contributing significantly to their recent success. The Astros are positioned well as they head into the final month of the season, with a strong chance to maintain their winning momentum.