Houston Astros’ recent series against the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins revealed some key insights into the team’s struggles and areas for improvement. Despite their success against the Oakland A’s, winning six of seven games, the Astros have struggled against other playoff-bound teams. This discrepancy highlights the need for improvement in certain areas.
One major concern is the performance of relief pitcher Ryan Pressly. Although he has shown flashes of his past success, his recent outings have been marred by bad luck. Pressly has blown two of three eighth-inning leads, leading to an inflated ERA of 5.24 and a WHIP of 1.61. However, advanced metrics suggest that his performance is not as bad as it seems. His FIP stands at a respectable 2.79, and hitters have an expected batting average of .236 against him. It is clear that Pressly’s performance has been hindered by poor luck, as evidenced by the high batting average on balls in play (BABIP) of .406. The Astros will continue to trust Pressly despite his recent struggles, hoping that his luck will eventually even out.
Another area of concern is the overcrowded outfield situation. Chas McCormick’s return from injury was expected to provide the Astros with a surplus of outfielders, but his struggles at the plate have raised questions about his playing time. McCormick has gone 2-for-19 with six strikeouts since returning from the injured list, leading to increased playing time for Yordan Alvarez in left field. Alvarez has started four of the last six games in left field, even against fly ball pitchers. Mauricio Dubón’s recent success further complicates the outfield situation, and continued production from him could put even more pressure on McCormick.
Jose Abreu’s return to the lineup has also been closely scrutinized. While his struggles and high salary make him an easy target for criticism, it is important to recognize that he is not solely responsible for the Astros’ subpar season. Abreu has three hits and six strikeouts since his return, but all three hits have come against fastballs, showing signs of improvement. Manager Joe Espada has been coy about Abreu’s playing time and plans at first base, but it is clear that the team wants to maximize his potential while keeping other players involved. Alternating Abreu and Jon Singleton at first base could be a viable solution.
Overall, the Astros’ recent series against playoff-bound teams has exposed some areas that need improvement. Ryan Pressly’s performance has been hindered by bad luck, but the team will continue to trust him. The outfield situation remains crowded, with Chas McCormick’s struggles raising questions about his playing time. Jose Abreu’s return has been met with scrutiny, but signs of improvement and the potential for alternating him and Jon Singleton at first base could help maximize his production. The Astros will need to address these issues in order to turn their season around and compete with the top teams in the league.