Astros shatter MLB record by striking out 52 hitters in three games

The Houston Astros have failed to live up to expectations set by last year's team. They're just 20-28 and the supposed high-powered offense has been anything but that, ranking 18th in runs scored. Houston's pitching, led by reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, has lagged, behind too, having just the 22nd-best team ERA in the league.

One thing they can do, though, is strike out batters. During this week's bout with the Baltimore Orioles, the Astros set a MLB record for the most strikeouts in a three-game series -- and obliterated the previous mark in doing so.

The Astros struck out 52 Orioles hitters, which broke the record that the Nationals set earlier this season (47). Colin McHugh and Lance McCullers were tied for the most on the team in that stretch with 10 each.

Additionally, the Astros tied a franchise record with 37 strikeouts in a two-game span. They swept the Orioles, winning three games by a total of four runs.