George Kirby Has Owned Houston His Entire Career, and the Astros' Bats Are About to Find Out Why

The Houston Astros are limping into T-Mobile Park with an offense that's suddenly forgotten how to hit. After racking up at least 10 hits in seven straight road games through their Friday matchup against Cincinnati, the Astros collapsed. They managed just four hits on Saturday, then scraped together only three singles in a brutal 5-0 loss on Sunday. Now they're opening a seven-game homestand with a four-game series against Seattle, and they desperately need to remember who they are.

Houston's Bats Have Gone Silent at the Worst Possible Time

The Astros still lead the American League in batting average (.258), total bases (598), and on-base percentage (.333, tied with the Yankees). But those numbers feel like ancient history when you're getting shut out. Manager Joe Espada knows it too.

"We've got to get back to doing what we do best," Espada said. "We've got to make opposing pitchers work. We've got to control the at-bats. The last few days, that was not the offense that we've been able to deploy early in the season. We've got an important series ahead of us."

Espada added that it's a quick fix, and he's confident his lineup will lock back in. Right-hander Peter Lambert takes the mound for Houston on Monday with a 2-2 record and a 2.42 ERA. He threw a career performance against the Dodgers on May 5, delivering seven scoreless innings with just three hits allowed and four strikeouts in a 2-1 win. But here's the problem: Lambert has faced the Mariners before, and it didn't go well. Back in April 2024 with Colorado, he gave up six runs on six hits across three innings in a 10-2 loss.

Kirby Is About to Make Houston's Job Even Harder

George Kirby is the last guy the Astros want to see right now. The Mariners' right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA in 10 career starts against Houston. He already beat them once this season, earning the win in Seattle's 6-2 victory on April 13 after allowing two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings.

Kirby's current stretch is ridiculous. He's allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight starts and sits at 3-0 with a 2.53 ERA during that span. He didn't get the decision in the Mariners' 3-2 loss to Atlanta on May 5, but he was brilliant, allowing just two runs on five hits with five strikeouts over seven innings. Since 2022, Kirby has 25 wins against the AL West, more than any pitcher in baseball.

The Mariners just dropped their series closer to Chicago 2-1 on Sunday, falling to 3-3 in rubber matches this season. But they're about to get reinforcements. The team is switching to a six-man rotation starting Wednesday to bring back right-hander Bryce Miller from the injured list for his season debut. Miller has been sidelined since March 22 with a left oblique strain.

First pitch Monday. Houston better find their bats quick.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.