Kyle Tucker is a two-time All-Star and near 30-30 player, one who finished No. 5 in the American League MVP race last season. Tucker should log a better finish on the awards circuit in 2024.

The Houston Astros right fielder is in the midst of a career-best season six weeks into his age-27 campaign, and the numbers aren't just impressive compared to Tucker's previous output. Consider the following: not only does Tucker hold the American League home run crown at the moment with 13 dingers in 39 games. He's also the AL's best hitter as measured by OPS+, with a 182 that surpassed New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto over the weekend.

Tucker's added six steals for good measure amid his torrid start at the plate, and entering Monday, he's one of four players league-wide this season with 10-plus homers and five-plus steals. 

Is Tucker on a 30-30 track this season? Not exactly. But few, if any, AL players are logging a more complete season. What was once Soto's award to lose is now a competitive race, with Tucker, Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles) and Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals) now entering the fray.

Houston's recent road trip vaulted Tucker to perhaps the top of the AL MVP race. He smacked four home runs across five starts in the Astros' six-game road trip—a 3-3 week for Joe Espada's club—including a clutch solo home run to put Houston on the board in Friday's series-opening win over the Detroit Tigers. Tucker is succeeding against righties. He's absolutely clobbering lefties (.660 slugging and 1.082 OPS in 2024). Perhaps Tucker isn't the most boisterous personality in baseball, but opposing managers are increasingly learning a difficult lesson in 2024. Tucker's bat is one of the loudest in baseball. Even in a crowded Houston lineup, pitch to him at your peril.

Tucker and the Astros will look to continue their hot hitting Monday as they return home to begin a 10-game home stand. Houston hosts the Oakland A's in Monday's series opener, with rookie Spencer Arrighetti slated to take the mound.

First pitch from Minute Maid Park is slated for 7:10 p.m. CT.