Carlos Correa's return feels like Astros' final hope for roster to regain life

The pending return of Astros 3B Carlos Correa may be coming just in time for Houston. The offense has scored 3 runs or less in 6 of their last 10 games and 16 times in the 29 games they have played since August 3.

The lineup has gotten very top-heavy, with most production coming from their top 4 hitters (Pena, Alvarez, Paredes, Altuve). When one of them has a tough game, the offense struggles. When more than one of them have a tough game, it's much worse.

Christian Walker's numbers have dropped precipitously since the start of May. For the month of August, Walker batted .202 with a .276 OBP and .595 OPS. Through 4 games in August, he is 3x13 (.231), with all hits being singles, equating to a .462 OPS. He hit 19 of his 24 HR before June 29.

Cam Smith is in a 6x55 (.109) slump. Christian Vazquez is 6 for his last 34 (.176). Taylor Trammell is in the midst of an 11x75 (.147) stretch. LaMonte Wade Jr. is 6 for his last 38 (.159). Nelson Velazquez is 2 for 17 as a member of the Astros (though he has generated 5 RBI that have led to 3 Astros wins, but that seems more anomaly given his level of production overall).

A returning Carlos Correa adds not only another high level bat to the Astros lineup, but also adds another batter who takes pitches and works counts as well.

Correa has appeared rejuvenated since returning to Houston. After batting .290 last season with a .355 OBP and .785 OPS for Houston after being acquired at the trade deadline from Minnesota, he picked up right where he left off this season. Before landing on the IL with a torn tendon in his left ankle suffered in a freak accident in batting practice, Correa was batting .279 with a .369 OBP and .787 OPS in 32 games (122 AB).

Adding a player with a 123 OPS+ to the lineup would be a solid boost for any team, but especially for the Astros since they are currently experiencing a wholesale lack of production from the bottom 5 batters in the lineup on a regular basis.

It is also important to note that Correa's numbers since returning to the Astros are very much in line with his career numbers, which indicates his offense is not in any kind of notable decline. For his career, Correa is a .275 hitter with a .352 OBP and .815 OPS. His career OPS+ is 124.

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A returning Carlos Correa adds not only another high level bat to the Astros lineup, but also adds another batter who takes pitches and works counts as well.

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