Different Take

As painful as it has been to come to the realization that the Astros are no longer a division lock right out the gate, they've given us a new way to watch games. We're actually going to see what the team is capable of when they aren't stacked high with power and leadership. They're still stacked with power but as we've guessed they're lacking leadership and currently snakebit by injuries. The game is now "how bad can we be beat and still crush the league", which is the absolute worst way to be a casual fan but comes with the best vindication at the end of the season.

(also the '21 Braves went 88-74 and locked down the WS on July 30th with the addition of Rosario, Soler, and Duvall. Brown and the Astros have time to go all the way.)