I can read a box score. Jose Altuve, George Springer, Alex Bregman, Josh Reddick, heck, even utility man Myles Straw, are all hitting well below their career batting averages. Yordan Alvarez, the 2019 Rookie of the Year, hasn't made an appearance yet. Justin Verlander, last year's Cy Young winner, and Roberto Osuna, the American League's saves leader, are on the injured list, perhaps for the season. One starter, Lance McCullers, has an ERA over 9, while another starter, Josh James, already has been banished to the bullpen. The bullpen, with Osuna gone, is a giant, inexperienced question mark. And don't forget, last year's best pitcher in baseball, Gerrit Cole, left the Astros to sign with the Yankees.

Take Thursday night (please). Ryan Pressly was brought into the game in the ninth to protect a 1-run Astros lead. He closed it, all right. Pressley gave up a walk, single, single and double - game over, Astros lose. Pressley began the night with a 13.50 ERA, and left with a 40.50 ERA. I didn't know ERA could go that high.

Let's review: so far in 2020, more than half of the Astros top hitters are in a slump. The team lost, not its two best pitchers, but both of baseball's two best pitchers. Their starting rotation has been decimated. Their top reliever may be done. Their slugging DH has yet to swing the bat. New manager, new general manager. As the Beatles once sang, it can't get no worse. I'm not happy with the grammar.

Break it to me gently. Surely they're in last place, but how many games out of first? Don't tell me they've already been eliminated from the playoffs.

Wait, are you saying the Astros are 6-6 for the season, only a couple of games behind Oakland for first place in the American League West? And they have three games coming up against the A's, and if the Astros sweep, they'll be in first?

The first 20 percent of the season is gone in a blink. Things couldn't have gone more horrendously for the Astros, and they're still playing .500 ball. If the playoffs started today, the Astros, even with their cursed season, would be in the mix. Surely, Altuve, Bregman and Springer's bats will come alive. The Astros will find more pitching arms. The bullpen, riddled with injuries and rookies, will gain experience and confidence..

And that's why I'm sticking with my prediction that the Astros will win the American League West (for the fourth time in a row), repeat as American League champions, and beat the Dodgers for the World Series title. I don't know which would please me more, the Astros winning, or the Dodgers losing. Take that, pouty face Joe Kelly.

You know that Springer will start bashing home runs, assuming his wrist is okay. Bregman will be Bregman. Reddick will be fine. Michael Brantley will bat .300. If Carlos Correa stays hot and off the massage table, the Astros will be, maybe not a murderer's row, but a reduced charge of manslaughter. Despite the slumps, injuries and absences, the Astros lineup is leading the league in runs scored. When Alvarez returns, look out.

Remember, with this improbable, 60-game schedule, the Astros don't have to finish first, although they will, or even second in the AL West. This season is just about making the playoffs. Sixteen teams, more than half of all the teams, will qualify for the post-season tournament. That's crazy hockey talk.

If you're a good team, which the Astros certainly are, the real goal of the 2020 season is to get to October with your position players healthy and your pitching rotation rested for Game 1 of whatever MLB is calling the first round of playoffs.

Now all we need is general manager James Click to find us some starting pitchers and a reliever or two. And Alvarez to show up. And Altuve and Bregman and Springer to start raking. And just maybe, "do you believe in miracles" Verlander to come back. The Astros aren't giving up, and neither should we.

My biggest worry about the Astros 2020 season? How do you hold a World Series parade in downtown Houston with social distancing?