Sigh.

Peter Lambert (HOU) struck out eight and allowed four earned runs over five innings

Home Sweet Home? Rockies at Astros, 4-14-26, 7:10 CT Game 18 Preview and Thread The Astros are finally back home and licking their wounds following a horrific 1-9 road trip. With a pitching staff that has clearly seen better days, however, a return to familiar settings may not…

Home Sweet Home? Rockies at #Astros, 4-14-26, 7:10 CT Game 18 Preview and Thread

And Brandon Bielak is back with the Astros.

Was Anyone Actually Surprised? Astros Lose 6-2, Swept By Mariners On the bright side, the Astros finally had a starter reach six innings. But the bad news is that Mike Burrows is giving off some Jason Jennings-in-2007 vibes and allowed six earned runs in the proc…

Was Anyone Actually Surprised? #Astros Lose 6-2, Swept By Mariners

What Kind Of Pain Can We Expect Today? Astros at Mariners, 4-13-26, 3:10 CT Game 17 Preview and Thread So, what happens when you combine the top run-scoring lineup in baseball through 16 games (93 runs scored) with the worst run-prevention pitching staff (99 runs allowed)? Apparently, a 6-10 record …

What Kind Of Pain Can We Expect Today? #Astros at Mariners, 4-13-26, 3:10 CT Game 17 Preview and Thread

If you're wondering, the 2026 Astros lead franchise history in unintentional walks issued with 96 in the first 16 games to start a season.

There are only six other seasons in which an Astros pitching staff has issued at least 70 walks in a season's first 16 games.

The 2026 Astros are the 11th team dating back to 1898 to issue at least 96 unintentional walks in the first 16 games of a season.

FYI, only one team (1925 St. Louis Browns) finished with a winning record, and none qualified for the postseason.

h/t @baseball-reference.com @stathead.com

So, which one of these injured pitchers are willing to try Roy Oswalt’s spark plug treatment?

Rest In Peace, Phil Garner: Astros at Mariners, 4-12-26, 3:10 CT Game 16 Preview and Thread The original focus of today’s preview was centered around the pitching staff’s continued woes. Not a surprise there, as several losses this season can be mainly attributed to the lack o…

Rest In Peace, Phil Garner: #Astros at Mariners, 4-12-26, 3:10 CT Game 16 Preview and Thread

Cam Smith in 2026 (61 PA)

• .302 AVG
• .393 OBP
• .547 SLG
• 175 wRC+
• .245 ISO
• 15.8% Barrel%
• 1.1 fWAR

#Astros

Pitching Depth Is An Illusion: Astros at Mariners, 4-11-26, 8:40 CT Game 15 Preview and Thread In February, I was actually feeling decently optimistic about the Astros’ pitching depth. Yes, Josh Hader was a possibility to miss the start of the season, which did happen, but everything e…

Pitching Depth Is An Illusion: #Astros at Mariners, 4-11-26, 8:40 CT Game 15 Preview and Thread

Yup. I do think his bat will come around sooner or later, but if he doesn’t then he offers hardly any value at best as a catcher.

Yeah, the bat ought to come around at some point. Whether that’s closer to his 2023-24 numbers or 2025 is the big question in my mind.

In 2026...

Christian Vázquez: 4 extra-base hits (3 doubles, 1 home run)
Yainer Diaz: 1 extra-base hit (1 double)

Something’s Gotta Give in Seattle: Astros at Mariners, 4-10-26, 8:40 CT Game 14 Preview and Thread By wRC+, the Astros still possess the best lineup in baseball, even following the sweep from the *checks notes* Rockies. Frankly, that’s still a surprise to me, but if the data supports that …

Something’s Gotta Give in Seattle: #Astros at Mariners, 4-10-26, 8:40 CT Game 14 Preview and Thread

MLB Teams by FIP and wRC+, April 10, 2026
#Astros: 144 wRC+, best in baseball (very good!)
5.18 FIP, second-highest in baseball (not good!)

The Astros might be down at the moment, but we’re not. We have big plans for @launchanglehou.bsky.social Check out the guide to learn more about the community we’re building.

And a shoutout to @mhatter106.bsky.social for creating this guide and all of his improvements in making the site better!

Guide to The Launch Angle A guide to the many ways to be a part of The Launch Article community. Read the articles, comment and discuss, ioin the Discord server, follow on SM, support on Patreon, or even write or submit pho…

Guide to The Launch Angle
#Astros

Javier’s Visible “Invisiball” and 100 Posts: Astros at Rockies, 4-8-26, 2:10 CT Game 13 Preview and Thread In the 100th post of The Launch Angle, we examine what has happened to Cristian Javier’s Invisiball, ahead of the final game of the Astros-Rockies series at Coors Field.

Javier's Visible "Invisiball" and 100 Posts: #Astros at Rockies, 4-8-26, 2:10 CT Game 13 Preview and Thread

The Blue Jays and Phillies are overlapping each other. The plotting package I used for the logos is utilizing the blue Liberty Bell.

Teams by FIP and wRC+ entering today (04.06.26)

The Astros having the best offense in baseball thus far remains a surprise to me.

He Is Risen!

The Astros starting rotation has now allowed 25 earned runs to start the 2026 season, the most in baseball after today.

Cristian Javier is responsible for 12 of those earned runs.

MLB Team Leaders In Runs Scored

1. Astros - 39 (lol)
2. Brewers - 37
3. Nationals - 33
t4. Angels - 29
t4. Rangers - 29

To no one’s surprise, but Isaac Paredes is seeing an average of 5 Pit/PA.

But Brice Matthews appears to have really taken the coaching to heart so far, seeing about 5.56 Pit/PA thus far. Again, small samples this year and last, but he only saw 3.81 Pit/PA in ‘25.

The 2026 season is only five games old, so insert your favorite sample size disclosure here, but this is an encouraging start.

Astros hitters in ‘25 (full season):
7.7% BB%
3.76 pitches per plate appearance

Astros hitters in ‘26:
12.6% BB%
3.96 pitches per plate appearance

Astros’ Autism Awareness Night has extra meaning for Joe Espada and his family On Tuesday night, Joe will squat behind home plate to catch the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter, Viviana.

Tonight is Autism Awareness Night at Daikin Park, a meaningful day for manager Joe Espada and his 10-year-old daughter, Viviana. From two years ago - www.nytimes.com/athletic/537...