How Astros' season could now hinge on most unlikely of x-factors

How Astros' season could now hinge on most unlikely of x-factors
The Astros open a 3-game series with Miami on Monday night. Composite Getty Image.

The return of Carlos Correa was supposed to energize the Houston Astros, but their weekend trip to Fenway Park told a different story.

Despite getting Correa back into the lineup alongside Jeremy Peña, the Astros offense sputtered through a sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox. Houston scored just one run in two of the three games, continuing a troubling trend of inconsistency. Five of their last eight series have ended in a sweep — some in their favor, others not — underscoring the volatility that has defined much of their season.

One of the bigger culprits? A swing-first mentality that isn't paying off.

Since Isaac Paredes went down, manager Joe Espada’s lineup has reverted to its more aggressive roots. Jose Altuve, who recently notched a four-hit game, credited that performance to getting better pitches. But that approach has come with diminishing returns. Altuve and others are swinging early and often, but with little to show for it lately, a strategy that’s only exacerbating Houston’s offensive inconsistency.

If the bats aren’t going to carry them, pitching needs to step up and soon.

Astros x-factors

There’s some good news on that front. Spencer Arrighetti is slated to return during the Marlins series, likely in Game 2 or 3.

Cristian Javier is expected to need one more rehab outing before he’s ready to rejoin the rotation. Their returns couldn’t come at a better time.

With the offense struggling (Houston ranks 20th in runs scored over the last week and 29th in slugging since July 7) the Astros simply can't afford to keep patching together starts with depleted depth. Brandon Walter is dealing with an elbow issue, Lance McCullers Jr. remains sidelined with blisters, and Colton Gordon has faltered in recent outings.

Houston has done its best to tread water, but it’s clear that the current rotation mix isn’t sustainable. The Astros need Arrighetti and Javier to not just return, they need them to perform like legitimate big-league starters. Otherwise, a team built for another postseason run may find itself struggling just to stay afloat.

There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode on Thursday!


___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

Most Popular

The Red Sox beat the Astros, 7-3. Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images.

Romy Gonzalez homered over the Green Monster on the first pitch faced by a Boston batter, Trevor Story added a two-run shot, and the Red Sox beat the Houston Astros 7-3 on Saturday.

Abraham Toro added a two-run drive — one of three homers the Red Sox hit over Fenway Park’s fabled left-field wall — and Story added an RBI double as Boston won its third straight.

Houston’s Christian Walker homered for the second straight day, a two-run shot off Walker Buehler in the first inning.

The benches and bullpens cleared when Astros reliever Héctor Neris yelled at the Red Sox dugout and third-base coach Kyle Hudson at the end of the seventh. But order was quickly restored.

You can watch what happened in the video below.

After beating the AL West leaders on Roman Anthony’s walk-off single in the series opener on Friday night, the Red Sox erased a quick 2-0 deficit when Story hit his drive in a three-run third against Colton Gordon (4-4) that pushed Boston ahead 4-2.

Story’s shot hit the top of a billboard over the Monster seats and bounced out of Fenway after Rob Refsnyder’s RBI single.

Justin Wilson (3-1) came on in the fifth inning with runners on second and third with Boston leading 6-3 and struck out the only two batters he faced. Aroldis Chapman got the final two outs for his 20th save.

Gordon gave up six runs in four-plus innings.

Key moment

The Astros loaded the bases in the eighth against Jordan Hicks, but Carlos Correa struck out looking on a 99 mph fastball.

Key stat

Boston’s bullpen went 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

Up next

Astros LHP Framber Valdez (11-4, 2.62 ERA) is set to face Red Sox RHP Lucas Giolito (7-2, 3.80) on Sunday in the series finale.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM