Hi guys, it’s Ari Alexander with the Astros newsletter, and the tone of this one may be...a little more negative than usual.
The Astros are 7-19. They are 1-8 in their last three series’ and have gotten swept in two of the three. 7-19 is the team’s worst start since 1969.
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WHAT’S WRONG PART 1
The bullpen, which employs three relievers who are paid more than $10 million has been a disaster.
Josh Hader has alternated being dominant and being hittable, and has an 8.38 ERA. His career ERA is 2.64.
Ryan Pressly has a 7.45 ERA. He’s given up three earned runs in the past four postseasons.
Bryan Abreu has a 4.97 ERA and gave up a home run to rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong in the Astros’ latest loss. He had a sub-2.00 ERA in each of the past two seasons.
Nobody could have predicted what was supposed to be the best bullpen in baseball would be among the worst.
WHAT’S WRONG PART 2
The Astros are down five starting pitchers, and have been pretty much at all points of the season. Justin Verlander is back, Framber Valdez returns Sunday. Cristian Javier is now on the IL with neck discomfort, joining Lance McCullers, Jr., Jose Urquidy and Luis Garcia.
Ronel Blanco has been a revelation, but other Astros starters have not been good. Hunter Brown has an ERA of 9.68 and authored one of the worst innings in baseball history earlier this year. J.P. France has been optioned to Triple-A after starting his season with a 7.46 ERA. Staying on the roster is Astros top pitching prospect Spencer Arrighetti, who has an ERA of 10.97 through three starts.
WHAT’S WRONG PART 3
The Astros, for whatever reason, can’t hit with runners in scoring position despite having no trouble getting guys on base. They’re tied 3rd in hits and are 9th in OPS. At first glance, their offense is fine, but their .651 OPS with Runners in Scoring Position (RISP) ranks 21st.
WHAT’S WRONG PART 4
There is a black hole at 1st base.
Jose Abreu is hitting .065, with one extra base hit.
Jon Singleton is hitting .238 with two extra base hits.
Neither has a home run.
All-Star Alex Bregman, who is in a contract year, has authored an even slower start to his season than his typical slow starts. Bregman is hitting .216 with no home runs, but is showing his typical plate discipline with 10 walks to 12 strikeouts. If Bregman wants a large contract this offseason, he has to start slugging immediately.
Chas McCormick, who had a breakout season last year, and was one of the most complete overall hitters in the American League has no home runs, only three extra base hits, and is batting just .235.
That’s three positions who are providing very little offensive value, which is a third of the offense.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Astros go to Mexico City for a two-game series against the woeful Colorado Rockies. Ronel Blanco starts Saturday, Framber Valdez starts Sunday.
