# 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.
- Title: Astros' bats go cold at the worst possible time | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: houston astros, kansas city royals, yordan alvarez, michael wacha, hunter brown, joe espada, jeremy pena, mlb, playoff race, offensive slump, american league, tampa bay rays
- Source: Houston Astros On SI — https://si.com/mlb/astros/onsi/astros-face-dangerous-royals-test-offensive-problems-continue-mount
- Published: 2026-09-15T20:41:37+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: houston astros, kansas city royals, yordan alvarez, michael wacha, hunter brown, joe espada, jeremy pena, mlb, playoff race, offensive slump, american league, tampa bay rays
## 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.
## Key takeaway

The Astros have posted the worst on-base percentage in the AL over their last 28 games, threatening their playoff hopes.