After their 7th consecutive ALCS appearance last season, the Houston Astros were primed for yet another strong year heading into 2024. The team improved their bullpen by adding Josh Hader, and with their lineup coming back, they appeared ready to head to their 8th straight ALCS. However, so far this season, they have struggled. The offense has been strong, as they have a .744 OPS - good for 6th best in baseball. However, it has been their pitching which has greatly struggled, outlined below:
Starting Pitching:
The starting pitching staff in Houston has gotten off to a rough start to begin this year. As a staff, they have posted a 4.95 ERA (6th worst in baseball), and a 1.53 WHIP, which is only better than the lowly Colorado Rockies. While Ronel Blanco has been a present surprise for the rotation (1.65 ERA, 0.92 WHIP), the other members of the rotation have struggled greatly. Hunter Brown has an awful 9.68 ERA and 2.49 WHIP, and teammate J.P. France has not been much better, as he has a 7.46 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. With Christian Javier recently hitting the Injured List, the Astros now have 4 starters on the IL who would otherwise be a part of the rotation/bullpen, and they will be desperate to get them back as soon as possible.
Bullpen:
After signing All Star Closer Josh Hader in the offseason, many people believed the Astros would have one of baseball’s bullpens, if not the best. That has not been the case thus far. They have the 5th worst bullpen ERA and 6th worst WHIP, and have been met with struggles from everyone - including their high leverage pitchers. The aforementioned Josh Hader has gotten off to a rough start this year, as he has an 8.38 ERA and 1.66 WHIP. Last year’s dominant closer Ryan Pressley has also begun this season struggling, as he has a 7.45 ERA and 1.86 WHIP. And after a dominant season last year, Bryan Abreu has so far been unable to replicate it this season, as he has a 4.61 ERA and 1.68 WHIP. With their rotation dealing with numerous injuries, it is imperative that these individuals and other relief pitchers step up and help the ballclub win games.
While many of these issues could be solved as the season progresses, it is still early and many of the starting pitchers are coming off the Injured List soon, the Astros will want to solve this sooner rather than later. Sitting at 9-19, with the AL West quickly slipping out their hands, the Astros will want to right the ship as soon as possible. Otherwise, this once great dynasty may come to a crashing end.
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