Houston Astros fly in spring training, but have flopped coming out of the gate in the regular season. It appeared that the season was going to start well, as the Astros won on their delayed opening day with a 5-3 victory over the Yankees in New York City. Dallas Keuchel earned his first victory of the year. Carlos Correa helped the offense with his first home run of the season, and an RBI on a play that was protested by Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Carlos was running on the grass on the inside of the base line, causing Yankees pitcher Dellin Betances to launch a high throw into right field. Interference was not called on the play, because the ball did not hit the runner on his way to first base. Since that opening day victory, the Houston Astros have dropped 7 of their last 9 games.
Houston Astros schedule not getting any easier
The Houston Astros next 3 series are against the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox. All 3 of those teams currently have winning records, so Houston needs to get things moving in the right direction soon. The home run balls were coming fast and furious to start out the year, but more timely hitting is going to be needed. The Astros had chances to tie the Royals in the 9th inning of the last 2 games of their series, but came up just short. One surprise on the offensive side so far is rookie first baseman Tyler White, the winner of the first American League Player of the Week award in 2016. If Houston is going to get it going this year, they will need more help from their starting pitching. The Astros team ERA after the first 9 games of the season comes in at 5.38, second worst in the American League behind only the Boston Red Sox.
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