Possibly understated... not only is there the three course sequence + diff eq, there's usually also a two-sequence real analysis course (more or less "careful calculus") and probably either PDEs or complex analysis to boot.
I took the discrete emphasis when I studied and I think I actually ended up with fewer discrete classes (5, IIRC) than calculus classes (6).
Although it's not explicitly stated in the article, I think Strang's remarks are actually directed at non-math programs in STEM (I assume you are at least a minor in math because of 3 analysis courses). Math majors will get plenty of algebra either way, but it's the engineers and scientists who miss out from overemphasising calc over algebra.
I took the discrete emphasis when I studied and I think I actually ended up with fewer discrete classes (5, IIRC) than calculus classes (6).