The Astros Show Life in Baltimore — But the Hole Is Still Deep
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The Locked On Astros podcast reflects on the Houston Astros' 12-20 start to the 2026 season, marking their second-worst record through 32 games—matching the infamous 2024 and 2005 teams. While the Astros split a doubleheader against the Orioles, losing Game 1 10-3 due to four grand slams and poor pitching control, they rebounded with an 11-5 win in Game 2 fueled by a strong offensive showing from a makeshift lineup. Lance McCullers delivered a promising start, though his high walk total and 6.32 ERA signal ongoing struggles. The episode emphasizes that the Astros' core issue remains inconsistent pitching, particularly with command and walk rates, despite flashes of offensive promise. The hosts caution against premature panic, drawing parallels to past comebacks, but stress that this season’s challenges—especially with Emi’s shaky rehab and the bullpen’s fragility—make a historic turnaround unlikely. The team’s future hinges on health, development, and stability across all three phases of the game.
The Astros' 12-20 start mirrors past seasons (2005, 2024), but a full comeback remains improbable given current pitching issues.
Lance McCullers showed signs of return with a strong Game 2 start, but his high walk rate and 6.32 ERA remain concerning.
The offense remains capable, as seen in Game 2, but struggles with runners in scoring position and consistency.
Emi’s rehab has been rocky; the Astros are taking a cautious approach, delaying his return despite urgent need.
The team’s biggest problem is not just poor pitching, but a systemic issue with command and walk generation.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The 12-20 Start: A Historical Echo
“The 2005 team came back and went to the World Series. So there's a chance, guys, that this team, if they put things together, I can't even say it. Maybe. Maybe they could get back to 500.”
Doubleheader Drama: Game 1 Collapse & Game 2 Redemption
“The Astros had already scored six runs. So it was six to nothing before the third inning and I guess by the end of the second inning.”
Lance McCullers: The Return of the Mac?
McCullers delivered a strong start in Game 2—six innings, two hits, nine strikeouts—but still carries a 6.32 ERA. The episode explores why Astros pitchers continue to walk batters, questioning command, coaching, and the influence of the ABS (arm-based system). The hosts emphasize that while McCullers showed flashes, consistency remains elusive.
The Walk Problem: A Systemic Issue
The podcast dives deep into the Astros’ walk problem, noting that 12 of 32 games have seen eight or more runs allowed—mostly due to walks. The hosts express frustration that even good starts are undermined by poor command, citing Abreu’s shaky outing and Alexander’s struggles in his debut.
Emi’s Rehab Struggles and the Road Ahead
“They want to make sure he doesn't continue to suck, so we're going to leave him down in a minor league until he doesn't suck.”
“They want to make sure he doesn't continue to suck, so we're going to leave him down in a minor league until he doesn't suck.”
“The 2005 team came back and went to the World Series. So there's a chance, guys, that this team, if they put things together, I can't even say it. Maybe. Maybe they could get back to 500.”
“The wind showed what the Astros can be when they're healthy. They have a decent lineup. They can have good enough pitching when everybody's healthy and pitching.”
Host
Houston Astros
other
Eric Heisman
person
Lance McCullers
person
Yainer Diaz
person
Emi
person
Baltimore Orioles
other
Cam Smith
person
Brett
person
FanDuel
brand
GameTime
brand
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