Four Astros The Fans Have Already Lost Patience With

The Astros are not the Astros that we are accustomed to seeing. Sure, their 28-21 record through 49 games isn't that far off pace from what they have been the last few seasons, but the total lack of offense has been stunning. A few blowup outings in the bullpe also have fans losing their patience.

When you're used to winning and winning big, it can be frustrating when the opponents are no longer getting steamrolled. Takes are flying like crazy on Twitter as fans try to sort out who this team actually is.

These are the four Astros fans have already lost their patience with.

#1: José Abreu

José Abreu was supposed to solidify the Astros lineup. The doubles machine was going to be a massive upgrade over Yuli Gurriel and ensure the Astros lights out bullpen and depth of starters would now be paired with the best lineup in baseball on paper.

Well, that's why don't play the games on paper. Abreu has been by some metrics the worst player in the MLB. We made the call just yesterday for an extended spell on the bench for Abreu to try and light a fire under the aging veteran.

Astros fans are sick of Jeff Bagwell talking about the back of Abreu's baseball card. The team gave him $19 million a year to hit. Instead he's repeatedly rolled over to shortstop and killed any chance the Astros have of rallying in an inning. Fans are fed up with this one.

#2: Rafael Montero

The other big contract doled out by the Astros this offseason, Rafael Montero turned a career year in 2022 into big money. Houston gave their fourth-best reliever last season All-Star closer money, effectively freezing the free agent market for relievers.

One-third of the way through the season and Montero has frozen any chance the Astros have of holding a lead in the eighth inning. Montero has been worth -0.5 WAR this year, posting a 7.32 ERA and 1.88 WHIP. He again looks like the pitcher Seattle was desperate to unload.

The last five games have been especially unkind to Montero, who is allowing opponents to hit .409 with an 1.116 OPS in that stretch. He's got a 10.80 ERA in that time.

Fans are sick and tired of seeing Montero get the ball in the eighth.

#3: Dusty Baker

And who do the Astros direct their rage aimed at Abreu and Montero towards? Dusty Baker. Baker continues to bat Abreu fourth or fifth. Of Montero's 21 appearances, 13 have been in the eighth inning.

Yes, neither player has lived up to their contracts, but Baker continues to deploy them as if they're earning every penny. Montero needs to rebuild his confidence getting outs in low leverage spots and Abreu needs to sit for a while and then bat way down in the order when he returns.

Martín Maldonado has run circles around Abreu at the plate this season. The Astros are struggling to score. They cannot continue to strand runners letting one of the worst hitters in the game make plate appearances with the game on the line.

Only one man has control over who bats where and who gets the call from the bullpen when. Astros fans are getting more and more frustrated with the decisions Baker has been making. His lack of transparency regarding injuries also sends fan over the edge. Which brings us to...