Astros: It’s just a slump, relax, they shall overcome

The Astros have lost seven straight games, their longest losing streak of the season. Maybe everyone should be reminded of the two ten game winning steaks.

The fans of the Houston Astros, all across social media, seem to be getting quite discouraged with the team’s recent play. I know, the ones who complain are usually the loudest, but it has become pretty prevalent lately and that’s understandable. Those fans just need to take a step back, relax, and look at the season as a whole.

The Astros are still 6.5 games ahead in their division. They have the third best record in the American League and fourth best in the Majors. That’s while they have been trying to do their best missing star players like Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Carlos Correa out with injury. When you add Collin McHugh, Joe Smith, and Aledmys Diaz to that list, that’s a big chunk of the roster.

When you look at the American League SRS (Simple Rating System), the Astros rank at the very top. The SRS takes into account the run differential for the season and the strength of schedule. The top five are HOU – 1.1, MIN – 0.9, NYY – 0.8, TBR – 0.8, and BOS – 0.4. The only team above them in the Majors is the Dodgers with a 1.8 SRS.

Jose Altuve is back and beginning to look like his old self. George Springer is looking great in his rehab assignment and will most likely play his final rehab game today at Corpus Christi. McHugh has pitched two days in a row and will be evaluated today, looking at a possible return Tuesday. Joe Smith, Correa, and Diaz are expected back after the All-Star break.

Barring any more injuries, this team should be back at full strength (with the addition of Yordan Alvarez) and dangerous for the second half of the season, to make a great run at the postseason. That’s not even taking into account what GM Jeff Luhnow has up his sleeve between now and the upcoming trade deadline.

So, everyone just take a breath, enjoy watching some of the players of the future that are filling in for the injured. The Astros will be right there in the thick of it come playoff time. Keep believing that they will “Take It Back”.