What has gone wrong in H-town

The pressure is mounting in Houston. The worst road team in the American League went 2-8 on its last road trip, including dropping four straight to the Rangers.

At the start of that trip, the Astros were in first place by three games. They wake up Thursday morning facing a six-game swing, now trailing the Rangers by three games. They also have just a one-game lead over the Minnesota Twins for the second wild card.

So what's gone wrong?

For starters, the bullpen has really struggled. Over their last 16 games, Houston relievers have posted a 6.70 ERA. In particular, Pat Neshek, Oliver Perez, and Will Harris have struggled. Prior to this rough 16-game stretch, Astros relievers had the best BAA (.207) in baseball and the second-best ERA (.288) in the American League. They have gone cold at the worst possible time.  

Hitting has been an issue as well for the Astros. George Springer was welcomed back with open arms when he returned from his fractured right wrist on Sept. 4. Unfortunately, Springer has slugged only .366 since his return.

Carlos Gomez seemed to be the gift that fell into the lap of the Astros after the original trade sending him to the Mets fell through. Gomez has batted just .234 while in Houston but, more importantly, has not been in the lineup since Sept. 12 and does not appear to be coming back anytime soon. Manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that there is still no timetable for Gomez's return from his intercostal strain.

And so while a host of problems have surfaced for the Astros, they still control their own destiny by the thinnest of margins. They're off Thursday before starting a three-game home series with the Rangers, and they're sending their best starters to the mound in Scott Kazmir, Collin McHugh, and Dallas Keuchel. Then they finish the season in Seattle and Phoenix.