Astros 3B breaks out of slump in contract year

Bregman broke out of his slump in dramatic fashion, going 3-for-3 with back-to-back home runs, a double and four RBI. It was his first multi-homer game since Aug. 18, 2022.

The Astros have been trying to get Bregman going. The two-time All-Star was batting .189 with one homer and 11 RBI through his first 33 games. He was batting sixth in the lineup for the fourth time in the past six games during  Monday's series opener after beginning the season in the middle of the lineup.

Houston rolls when Bregman rolls, and the Astros third baseman is starting to heat up. Bregman carries a five-game hitting streak going into Tuesday's contest batting .400 with four extra-base hits (two homers), six RBI and a 1.229 OPS. It comes as no surprise that the Astros (16-25) have won four of their last five games.

The 30-year-old is set to become a free agent for the first time after the season and while the Astros plan to offer Bregman an extension, there is no timeline for when that will happen. The sooner Bregman gets going, the better — and not just for the Astros, but for Bregman's value in free agency.