MLB Team Outlook: Houston Astros – Updated
The Houston Astros have been, by far, the worst performing team in Major League Baseball this season. Their dismal form has been highlighted in their home fixtures where they have failed to make an impact. The Astros, unlike the other seasons, have failed
to perform at Minute Maid Park this season and this can be cited as the major reason for their fall this year.
The Astros have played 59 games at home this season thus far and have managed to win just 19 games while 36 of these games have ended in disappointment. This makes their winning percentage just above the .300 mark.
Their record on the road has not been impressive either, proving that the problem is with the team’s strategy and not the ballpark. They have played 62 games on the road and have come out victorious in just 19 of them.
Overall, the Houston Astros have a win-loss record of 38-83 and a winning percentage of .314. The Astros are unlikely to achieve the .500 winning percentage this season as their form has shown no signs of improvement. Houston has slipped 32 games behind
American League Central Division leader Milwaukee and 15 games behind fifth placed Chicago Cubs. Their lacklustre showing has ensured that they will linger at the last spot in their division.
Pointing out a particular department to be the cause of this lacklustre performance would not do justice. The team has not been efficient at the plate and the pitching’ staff has not helped at the mound either.
Houston’s pitching staff is not in performing to par. Wandy Rodriguez has been by far their best pitcher with an 8-9 win-loss record. Unfortunately, this is the best in their line-up.
Brett Myers’ average showing at the mound has not helped the Astros much. Myers is struggling with just three wins to his credit and 12 losses looming his record.
Where they have been able to score 455 runs in total this season, the Astros have leaked 158 more than they have scored. The Astros have leaked 613 runs which are the second-worst by any team in the Majors with Baltimore Orioles taking the lead with 628
runs leaked thus far. If they continue at the current rate, it will not be long before they overtake the Orioles.
Houston Astros have been historically renowned performers in the second half and critics believed them to repeat that achievement this time too but the Astros have failed them too. They are in their worst-season ever and it is likely that the Astros might
cross 100 losses this season.
The Astros are currently on a six-game losing-streak which includes two shutouts in a 3-0 whitewash by the struggling Los Angeles Dodgers. Houston has lost ten of its previous 13 games and this is not a healthy sign for a team who plans at coming out strong
in the next season.
Carlos Lee has been the backbone in producing runs with 68 RBIs to his credit. These statistics are not impressive compared to the League standards.
With this campaign almost over for the Astros and the remaining encounters just a matter of glory, it will be interesting to see how the shambled Astros rise in their next campaign.
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