What's Wrong with the Houston Astros?

Houston has been one of the most successful teams over the past decade. Baseball fans around the world have watched the Astros play in the ALCS for seven consecutive seasons now. It’s two weeks into the 2024 MLB season & the AL juggernauts have simply played horribly. With their 4-11 record, is it time to start worrying? Let’s break it all down.

Through 15 games, the pitching numbers have been embarrassing. Currently ranked 29th out of 30, the team owns an alarming 5.56 ERA. Those aren’t the only statistics that the Astros are struggling in right now. They’ve allowed an average of 8.9 hits per game, a batting average of .263 and a 7.35 K/9 ratio. Unsurprisingly, all of those numbers rank 26th or worse at the moment. Improvement is critical if they want to make noise again this season. Yes, the Astros are dealing with injuries right now. They started the season without Luis Garcia as well as Justin Verlander. Now, Framber Valdez is out for at least two weeks on the 15 day IL. Of course, getting those guys back will help, but will it be too little too late?

Hitting hasn’t necessarily been the issue for Houston to date. They are averaging a plentiful amount of baserunners per game. What’s the issue then? Leaving runners on base is definitely it. They currently stand as the second worst team in baseball in that category. Alex Bregman is a guy that needs to wake up as well. He’s hitting just .241 and has yet to hit a single home run this season. That’s a shock since he’s hit at least 20 in each of the last four seasons that he’s played at least 155 games in. 

One of the most highly respected managers in recent MLB history stepped down after last season. He’s gotten them to four of those seven ALCS and helped bring Houston home a world series. Having said that, the Dusty Baker departure effect might be something that’s caused some of these problems. New manager Joe Espada has never been the head guy of a team before. Of course he’s been around the sport. But, is he up for the job? Well, if judged by his record, he hasn’t done a very good job so far. Yes, it’s early, but time is ticking and soon enough they’ll be out of the playoffs, if things don’t start to change. 

To Make The Playoffs: -170 

To Win The AL West: +165 

To Win The AL: +550 

To Win The World Series: +1100 (up from +800)

Of course the Astros are good enough to come back from this. It’s the beginning of the season and this is the time to be at their lowest. The oddsmakers aren’t budging with future odds quite yet, and for a reason. When healthy, this team can be, and is one of the scariest teams to face in all of baseball. Now, baseball is a very long season. Everything can change with one swing. Don’t let the early season record of the Houston Astros deceive you. They are still very much alive and well. It’s just a matter of time for this stacked lineup to start capitalizing with runners on base. I have yet to play on (or against) the Astros but will be looking to play on them in favorable spots going forward. 

It’s hard to think that the Astros aren’t going to make the playoffs after how many years that they’ve dominated the American League. Yes, it’s been a bad start. But, you’ve got to remember. This is a 162 game season and we are not even close to the halfway point yet. Expect Houston to still make the playoffs. The best Futures bet on the Astros is currently (-170 To Make the Playoffs.)

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*Houston is currently about to win their fifth game of the season today against the Texas Rangers. The comeback is on!