MLB Insiders Aren't Worried About the Astros Slow Start
The Houston Astros have had a brutal start to the season, sitting at 3-7. While they've arguably had the toughest schedule in baseball, playing the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Texas Rangers, this is a team that typically finds a way to win games, no matter who they're playing against.
Many of the struggles that were expected coming into the season have been a reality. The Astros were expected to have a below-average bullpen in the middle innings and to start the season, that's been an issue.
Offensively, they've swung the bats at a high level, hitting the second-most home runs, having the eighth-best OPS, and the 10th-best average in baseball as a team.
However, that's still led to the 3-7 start because the pitching hasn't been good enough, something that's not typically said about this organization.
Despite the struggles, MLB.com's Will Leitch says voters for the MLB power rankings aren't sweating the slow start from Houston. Leitch does have concerns about Jose Abreu, who's now 2-26 to start.
The Astros have been too good for too long to worry about a slow start, but it's important to note that this is the first time they're under .500 since June 2016, which was the last time they missed the playoffs.
It's still early and the concerns are fair, especially in the bullpen, but give this team time. They have a new manager and one of the toughest schedules in baseball to start the season, meaning this slow start isn't too surprising.
JON CONAHAN