From Houston Astros On SI · · 3m
Astros' bats go cold at the worst possible time
Houston faces Kansas City in a must-win series while mired in their worst offensive slump in months.
In brief
Houston faces Kansas City in a must-win series while mired in their worst offensive slump in months. The Astros have posted the worst on-base percentage in the AL over their last 28 games, threatening their playoff hopes. Originally reported by Houston Astros On SI.
Astros stuck at .500
Houston returns home at 75-75 after a sweep by Tampa Bay. They desperately need to break out of a 28-game offensive slump.
Worst offense in the AL
Since August 14, the Astros have the worst on-base percentage (.292) and second-lowest batting average (.224) in the American League.
Runs dried up in Tampa
Houston scored just eight runs in three games against the Rays, averaging 2.7 runs per game compared to 3.7 over the slump.
Alvarez's Triple Crown chase stalls
Yordan Alvarez is hitting just .250 with three homers in his last 109 plate appearances, one of the worst stretches of his career.
Alvarez owns the Royals
Despite his struggles, Yordan has hit .500 with two home runs and six RBIs in 14 plate appearances against Kansas City this season.
Kansas City can be tricky
The Royals won two of three in June with high-scoring games, but shut out Houston 4-0 in the series finale.
Wacha is rolling right now
Michael Wacha is 4-0 with a 2.44 ERA in his last seven starts, striking out 36 batters in 44 1/3 innings since August.
Hitters can't touch his pitches
Batters are hitting .130 against Wacha's cutter.140 against his changeup, and .133 against his slider since August.
Some Astros know Wacha well
Christian Walker is 5-for-11 against him with three extra-base hits. Christian Vazquez is 6-for-13, and Isaac Paredes has walked three times.
Struggling hitters must step up
Jeremy Pena, Cam Smith, and Daulton Varsho are all hitting below .200 since August 14. Houston needs them to contribute.
Wacha torments the Astros
In his last three appearances against Houston, Wacha is 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA, allowing just 12 hits in 17 1/3 innings.
Brown needs offensive help
Hunter Brown has struggled with an 8.82 ERA in his last five outings, though he's dominated Kansas City in his two most recent starts against them.
Brown finding his command
In his last three appearances, Brown has 24 strikeouts with just three walks in 17 2/3 innings and a 52% ground-ball rate.
Bullpen can't save silent bats
Houston has one of the most consistent bullpens in baseball, but without offensive production they risk falling out of the playoff race.
The bottom line
The Astros have posted the worst on-base percentage in the AL over their last 28 games, threatening their playoff hopes.
