A’s surprising edge over Astros brings to mind the Dusty Baker factor

For starters, it’s the starters. The Houston rotation has been decimated by injuries, with six starters spending time on the injured list including Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier. Closer Josh Hader, who signed a $95 million contract in the offseason, had an 8.38 ERA entering the weekend. And the offense isn’t the same with Jose Abreu experiencing one of the all-time worst starts and cleanup hitter Alex Bregman remaining homerless entering Friday Baker retired after last season, after his Astros fell in the ALCS to the Rangers and...