For only the fifth time in franchise history, the Astros’ lineup walked at least nine times, struck out eight or fewer times, and scored two or fewer runs in a game. And all five of those games, including Friday against the Orioles, concluded with a Houston loss.
So, yeah, that’s a bit depressing.
It is also depressing to watch the Astros waste a career-high, ten-strikeout performance from Peter Lambert, who is probably the most valuable pitcher on the team at the moment. What a stroke of good fortune that Lambert somehow remained with the organization after he exercised his opt-out clause in late March. Could you imagine where this team would be without him? I shudder at the thought.
I also shudder watching most of this lineup. After Isaac Paredes, it didn’t look too good.
As one can tell, any production was pretty much limited to the top half of the lineup. Scoring just one run in the first inning, especially with runners on the corners with no outs, was the first gut punch. And that same situation basically repeated itself in the third inning, with one run already scored and runners on the corners with no outs. In both instances, Christian Walker and Jose Altuve failed to convert when it mattered most. Not to mention wasting a bases-loaded with one out situation in the seventh inning.
Frankly, this team has plenty of needs. Adding at least one quality hitter to the bottom half of this lineup would go a long way. Another starting pitcher to pair with Hunter Brown and Lambert is on the wish list. A trusted right-handed reliever would certainly be nice. Will that happen by the trade deadline? Personally, I doubt it, and I have only moderate hope that they will fill one of those needs.
For as much as I like Bryan King, though, it is clear that this bullpen needs some more depth. For the third game in the last four, or something like that, King has arguably coughed up the game. While not all of the fault falls on him, as there are other players to blame, it is clear that this bullpen needs some additional depth.
Ultimately, the Astros are 47-52 following this loss. Not a great spot to occupy in the standings on July 17. Thankfully, the Rangers lost, and the Mariners were losing at the time I was writing this recap, so that somewhat helps. But I don’t think this team ought to become buyers. That said, Dana Brown’s contract status may dictate how this team approaches the deadline, especially if they can rebound a bit in the next couple of weeks. I wouldn’t hold my breath about it, though.
Feature photo from Astros on X
The team is what it is. As a manager, you ask the GM for the pieces you need to win more games. In the meantime, it’s what it is, and you do the best you can to win with what you have. Too deep a philosophy for Espada. He watches a wishes. Maybe he prays. And watch some more. “What? I am not playing” he seems to whisper to convince himself there is nothing he can do. Damn players and Dana Brown!
To me, King seems like a control pitcher with mediocre stuff. His best trait is that he has the guts to throw his 92 mph stuff in the zone, but that can come back to bite you. And it did. He is a guy who doesn’t rate well on the stuff+ metrics, and his forward looking metrics (ERA+, x-FIP) are substantially worse than his actual ERA. So, his regression is more or less expected. At his best he is a middle reliever similar to DLS, who has value in that role but could struggle with leverage. I mean, in retrospect, maybe Espada should have put Blubaugh in the game for the 8th. Blubaugh is not perfect but he has the profile (K rate, velo in one inning burst) of a high leverage reliever. He is rumored as a trade piece, but I would be reluctant to trade him.