If I had to take an educated guess, I would say that the mantra for the Houston Astros starting Thursday would be, “Now do it again.”

With a record of 59-32, which trails their nemesis and first opponent post-All-Star break, the New York Yankees, by 4 ½ games for the best overall record in the MLB. Houston will have to repeat a lot of its first-half success if they want an opportunity to make their fourth World Series appearance in the last six seasons.

The Astros will be tested early by playing 20 games in 19 days, starting with a doubleheader against the Yankees. The back-to-back games are makeups for a series scheduled to open the season but got postponed due to this year’s lockout.

In five games played this season, the Astros are 3-2 against the Yankees, losing both games with demoralizing walk-off hits by Aaron Judge.

After facing the best team in baseball, Houston will then travel to take on the hottest team when they face the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle for a three-game weekend series.

The Mariners start the second half of the season trailing Houston by nine games in the American League West but are currently on a season-high and MLB-best 14-game winning streak and will play the Astros seven times in a ten-game stretch.

“I have had my eyes on them a long time ago,” said Astros manager Dusty Baker when asked about the Mariners’ recent success. “I told people that they were a lot better than they were playing then. They came on strong last year. They have had a tough schedule early this season, going back and forth across the United States three or four times. Travel does affect your play.”

“But like Satchel Paige said, ‘Don’t look back or you will see somebody gaining on you.’ So, I am looking forward to the finish line, but I realize they are trying to make their move and let’s see who wins the most.”