Should Houston Astros Already Consider Replacing Manager?

Few of the several issues facing the Houston Astros can be resolved quickly. Their bullpen consistently

blows games, their hitters are unable to get big hits when they need them, and their rotation has been

severely damaged by injury.

None of those are instant solutions.

However, there is one obvious problem that can be resolved really quickly: Joe Espada’s lackluster

management.

It is clear that he is not the right manager for the Major League Baseball (MLB) after less than a month

of experience. It was never going to be simple to replace Dusty Baker, but Espada has been blatantly

inept and appears overburdened by the position (just look at the Jose Abreu problem).

Worse still, it looks like he lost the clubhouse already. Preceding Tuesday’s game, beat journalist Brian

McTaggart shared this tragic anecdote.

McTaggart claims that the captain has lately spoken with a number of players and has urged them to

modify their strategies. Additionally, he publicly endorsed his club, referring to his players as “fighters”

who never give up.

Espada is trying something, but it is not working.

The Chicago Cubs defeated the Astros 7-2 at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night, their second consecutive

loss. After trailing 5-0 in the first inning, Houston gave up on the game and did not put up much of a

fight.

They are at 7-17 for the season after losing three straight and six of their last seven games. For the first

time since 2016, they are 10 games below.500 and are off to their worst start in years.

Houston has not demonstrated any showing any indications of improving, and there is not much time

left to salvage their season.

It is obvious that Espada is failing to motivate his team and is unable to connect with them; it is time to

find someone who can.