Call to the pen
Fansided

Carlos Gomez a victim of the times for Houston Astros

By Josh Sippie

facebooktwitterreddit

When Carlos Gomez was acquired, the Houston Astros were in the midst of a serious dry spell. Since July 1st, they have managed a losing record (17-20) and their vice grip on the American League West has slowly been chipped away, although they are still maintaining a lead thanks to the Los Angles Angels inability to capitalize.

More from Call to the Pen

Part of the problem may be that George Springer, one of the batteries that gives this team life, has been out injured since that 17-20 record began. It seems too much of a coincidence that his absence coincided with the rough patch.

But Carlos Gomez was brought on for his energy as much as for his abilities. Yet the move has not gone as planned, as the rambunctious outfielder is only has only hit .056 in the Astros last seven games. That is pretty abysmal and for a team that is so reliant on the long ball, it can be even more detrimental.

However, what we see in Carlos Gomez’s struggles is what we are seeing from all the Houston Astros’ power alley, with a few exceptions. In the past seven games, only Jose Altuve, Marwin Gonzalez and … Scott Feldman … have a batting average over .300.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Jason Castro, Luis Valbuena, Evan Gattis and Preston Tucker are all hitting under the Mendoza line. Those four names have also only combined for one home run in the last seven games. On the season, those four account for over 30% of the Astros long balls and nearly half of their run production.

It is hard to score runs or even generate any semblance of an offensive threat when that much of your offense is in a slump, and the Houston Astros are feeling the strain.

For a new arrival like Carols Gomez, it is only natural that he is going to sink into the struggles of the times. Despite an inspiring walk-off win by team catalyst Jose Altuve, which could spark an offensive burst, Carlos Gomez was 0-4 and has been 0-everything as of late.

Last Friday, that frustration got to Gomez, as he shattered a bat over his knee, telling reporters: “I’m frustrated because the whole night and the last week I’ve been missing my pitches. When you go to the plate and you look at one specific area and one specific pitch and he throws you (it) you’re not supposed to miss,” (via the Chron).

Naturally, that little antic caused some swelling in his knee, which in turn caused him a bit of down time and more frustration.

When Gattis, Valbuena and the Houston Astros’ power crew turn it around, you can bet that Gomez will turn it around as well. Seeing the guys hitting before and after you dribble balls into easy outs and whiff on their favorite pitches will take a toll on your psyche, and with Gomez hitting right smack in the middle of those struggling Houston Astros’ hitter, his psyche is without a doubt losing the current battle. Not to mention the fact that this is a new team in a playoff hunt and the nerves are still getting to him.

Gomez will turn it around. This is not the first rough offensive patch that the Houston Astros have gone through. It is just a matter of time.

Next: Astros desperately need George Springer

More from Call to the Pen

Home/Houston Astros