Astros: Where did all the fun go?

The Houston Astros continue their struggles in what feels like one of the worst funks in all of baseball. While having one of the highest ceilings in the game, Houston totaled five hits Tuesday night; three off the bat of Michael Brantley.

After a dominate performance from Luis Garcia, the bullpen was at it again, as Bryan Abreu gave up a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth; that could have been possibly caught by Myles Straw. This 5.2-inning outing from Garcia was the longest of his career, but the runs were tacked onto him as he lost his first game of the season.

With all the injuries and COVID-19 protocol issues, why are the Astros still not showing life?

While I have petitioned for the “it is early in the season” banner to be spread across social media, it is certain the Astros do not look like themselves at 50% or even 100%. With Alex Bregman, Martin Maldonado and Yordan Alvarez returning, the team still doesn’t look lively in game, but what caused this overall funk in the clubhouse?

As Joe Smith and Brooks Raley continue their struggles out of the bullpen, starting pitching hasn’t showed great lengths into the sixth inning other than Zack Greinke. While the only high leverage reliever looks to be Ryan Pressly at the moment, Manager Dusty Baker can’t burn his closer too early with no help behind him.

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The bats haven’t been swinging well either, as Brantley looks the most diligent at the plate in the last two series. The season is 162 games, but in all essence, every game has the same value in the end. It might not matter right now that the Astros win every game coming their way, but it does help to keep momentum alive for a team looking to contend once again.

It is important to realize that each Astro is more than a player, and for a team that is battling much more than on the field underperformance, there could be something else going on that they need to shake off. Excuses shouldn’t be made for a team that is expected to play at a World Series level, and it was proved in their 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night. The energy is starting to feel like 2020, and we know how that season turned out.

The Astros are back on the field on Wednesday at 2:10 p.m. to close out their two-game set in Colorado. As Jose Urquidy hits the bump, Houston looks to shake off losing eight of their last nine against the left-hander, Austin Gomber.