Bryan Abreu implosion brings another gut-punch loss for ailing Astros

Wednesday afternoon initially followed a familiar path for the Houston Astros in their dynastic run.

Jose Altuve slapped a single and later scored in the top of the first in the series finale at Wrigley Field, and armed with a 1-0 lead, starting pitcher Justin Verlander took care of business. Verlander—pitching on a limited pitch count as he works back into form following a shoulder injury—allowed zero earned runs and struck out seven batters in 4 1/3 innings, and middle reliever Rafael Montero closed the fifth frame with a flyout and strikeout.

Get an early lead, ride Verlander, then wait for the bullpen to shut the door. Simple enough formula, right? Not exactly. Houston's bullpen in recent years was among baseball's best units. 2024 is a far cry from recent dominant campaigns.

Montero scuffled to start the sixth, with two singles and a fielder's choice tying the contest at one run apiece. Astros manager Joe Espada then turned to Bryan Abreu, perhaps the best non-closer in all of baseball across the 2022 postseason and entire 2023 campaign. Abreu couldn't seal the victory. His second pitch of the afternoon was yanked into the right-field seats by Cubs rookie Peter Crow-Armstrong, giving Chicago a 3-1 lead it wouldn't relinquish. 

Houston is now a rather-unthinkable 7–19 following the sweep at Wrigley Field, though they are still in striking distance of the AL West leaders in Arlington and Seattle (both the Rangers and Mariners are a middling 13–12 after Thursday). The division deficit is surmountable. What's more concerning is the Astros' dismal play throughout the roster. The young pitching trio of Hunter Brown, J.P. France and Spencer Arrighetti is presently a disaster (combined 53 earned runs in 53 2/3 innings). Houston's lineup continues to struggle with runners on base, and as for the bullpen, Abreu's struggles aren't an isolated incident. Josh Hader has as many losses (two) as saves. Ryan Pressly's opponent slugging sits at a startling .512.

Joe Espada's club entered 2024 sporting championship expectations. Rising to even .500 by the late summer is now a serious uphill climb. 

Thursday marks the low point of Houston's season to date. Perhaps facing a National League cellar dweller will turn the tide on a disappointing season. The Astros will face the Colorado Rockies on Saturday and Sunday, with both games slated to be played in Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú in Mexico City. 

Saturday will mark the Astros' second time playing in Mexico after they faced the Angels in Monterrey in 2019. First pitch Saturday is slated for 5:05 p.m. CT, with Ronel Blanco slated to take the mound. Framber Valdez is expected to start for Houston on Sunday as he returns from a left elbow injury.