Houston Astros

The beard is familiar, as is the assortment of effective pitches. Just maybe, Dallas Keuchel has reverted to his excellent form of 2015, when he won the American League Cy Young Award.

Keuchel, who struggled last year as a sore shoulder derailed the final five weeks of his season, is throwing the way he did two years ago. He has won his first two decisions and has the swagger back of someone who not long ago was considered one of baseball’s best pitchers.

In three starts, the left-hander’s ERA is 0.86. He has allowed eight hits and five walks in 21 innings to go with 15 strikeouts.

“I’ve been really feeling good with the way the ball’s coming out of my hand and the shape and the movement of each and every pitch,” Keuchel said.

Second baseman Jose Altuve reached base in 11 consecutive plate appearances. That was two shy of the franchise record of 13, set by Bill Spiers in 1997. Shortstop Carlos Correa, 22, said he’s open to a contract extension with the club if “the price is right.” Correa, the 2015 AL rookie of the year, isn’t eligible for arbitration until after the 2019 season. Correa dodged a serious injury Saturday when he was struck on the hand by a pitch from Oakland’s Frankie Montas. X-rays were negative, but Correa was expected to miss some games.