The rebuilding Astros had rolled off four consecutive victories. The last three had been recorded against a Chicago White Sox club with an estimated opening-day payroll of $124 million – $103 million more than the MLB-low $21 million Astros. Bo Porter had inspired and united the youngest team in baseball, propelling a mix-and-match roster featuring unproven athletes in their 20s and late-career veterans to regularly play with the passion, energy and excitement the youngest manager in baseball began demanding the first day of spring training. _There had been a six-game winning streak that bridged late May and early June, which included a four-game road sweep of the $142 million Los [...]