Astros: Fans, it’s officially time to bring out the panic button

The cold hard facts on what could be a lost season for the Astros if recent fortunes do not reverse soon.

Remember a while back I told you all to tuck the panic button away? Remember when I said keep it close, but tuck it away? Well, there’s no better time to bring it back out than right now. Place it on your table or desk and slam on it repeatedly until the sirens go off.

It’s officially panic time in Houston for the Astros. (Insert: “Houston, we have a problem” cliché, here). I know this is the unpopular opinion, but someone must say it. We can’t just sit around thinking this is all going to be fine. The bulk of the line-up is injured. The offense is lackluster and despite the starting pitching being dominant, without run support, these guys can’t pitch a shutout game in hopes one or two or three runs will hold off for a win. Oh, and don’t look at the standings, but there are a couple of teams within arm’s reach with only 41 left to go.

So, go ahead. Press it. Because the cold hard truth is, It’s panic time for the Houston Astros.

Comparisons

This time last year, August 16th, 2017, the Astros were 74-46. Today, they are 74-47. Only half-game difference but eerily similar nonetheless. We all remember that dismal August. They had a season long five-game losing streak. They just snapped a five-game skid last night. They were 11-17 last August including going 3-10 prior to this point last season. Your Astros are on pace to finish the month 11-16. The difference between last August and this month is that they were leading the division by 12.5 games. The Astros desperately cling to a two-game lead now. And despite wrapping up last August at .500, they still led the division by 11.5 games

Don’t look back but the Athletics are just two games behind. Throw the Mariners in the race too, they are just 4.5 back. The Astros are 9-4 against the Athletics this season with six games left to play. Houston is 6-7 versus the Mariners with also six games remaining, too.

Oakland is 21-7 in their last thirty games and have shown no signs of slowing down. The Mariners on the other hand are 13-17 in their last 30 games, but seem to have the Astros’ number. The remaining series against these two division foes will decide the division. And wild card spot for that matter.