Houston Astros down in the dumps






 

 

It’s no fun being a Houston Astro fan these days.

No matter how good a team looks in the beginning of the season, or how they give you hopes when they go on a long winning streak, they still have to compete with some good teams that don’t roll over for them. That was evident Sunday and Monday.

The past two games, both losses to the Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins, have shown that. What’s disappointing is that Houston’s starting pitching, which is supposed to be one of their strong suits, has faltered badly.

On Sunday, against the Texas Rangers, the Astros fell behind 10-1 after four innings when starter Colin McHugh got roughed up and was knocked out in the fourth. Here is where the disappointment intensifies because the Astros made a valiant effort to get back in the game and managed to come within one run in the ninth. They hit five home runs in the comeback, but sadly, they were all solo shots and the Astros lost 11-10.

Monday night’s game was very similar.

Houston started righthander Brad Peacock, who had looked good earlier and had won his first two starts. This time he was touched for six hits and three runs in the first two innings. Once again Houston had to fight from behind after falling behind 7-1.

A three-run homer by Carlos Correa, gave the Astros hope, but Houston relievers couldn’t contain the Twins, who scored twice in the eighth for a 9-5 win. What’s got me worried is that only ace Justin Verlander has looked his dominant self. Gerrit Cole is supposed to be part of a one-two punch, but has been rocked in his last two starts.

McHugh had been pitching well until Sunday and the same can be said of Peacock.

Houston made some crucial changes in their pitching rotation in the offseason when they traded Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton. Lance McCullers is recuperating from surgery. The Astros have already faced Morton this season and lost to him.

I hope this is not a trend that will continue to haunt the Astros.

The only positive that I can come up with is that the Astros were 14-9 for the season and 6-4 in their last 10 games after Tuesday night’s game with Minnesota.

The season is still young and their 10-4 home win on Tuesday against the Twins to end their threegame losing streak was an indication that a lot more good can come this season.

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