Astros Insider Raises Multiple Questions About Team as Battle with Mariners Tightens

Several Mariners fans are certainly leery of what is coming in the second half of the season, but the Houston Astros also have several questions as indicated by Chandler Rome of 'The Athletic.'

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco (56) works out prior to the game against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park on July 13. / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners enter the second half of the season at 1.0 game up in the American League West on the Houston Astros. While there's plenty of reasons to be concerned about where the Mariners are at right now, there are also reasons to be concerned about the Astros.

The Astros have lost starting pitchers Jose Urquidy, JP France and Cristian Javier for the season. They haven't gotten great recoveries from Lance McCullers or Luis Garcia, either, and Justin Verlander is still on the injured list with a neck issue.

Furthermore, the Astros have dealt with an injury to Kyle Tucker which will keep him out at least through this weekend's series with the Mariners - if not weeks longer.

Chandler Rome of 'The Athletic' painted the picture for the Astros, which should make Mariners fans feel better about things.

For the Astros to even make the playoffs, they must find ways to lessen Blanco’s workload and protect their other available arms. Bear in mind that both Jake Bloss and Framber Valdez have already required stints on the injured list this season with arm-related injuries.

Expanding to a six-man rotation is the easiest fix, but the club doesn’t even have the available bodies to accomplish it. Demand may exceed supply and it’s doubtful the Astros possess enough prospect capital to compete with other contenders at the top of the starting pitching market.

Now, the M's have had a lot of advantages in this season already and haven't been able to fully capitalize, but given the Astros woes and health problems, there are still chances to do so.

Winning the opener of the series on Friday night would go a long way. First pitch from T-Mobile Park is set for 7:10 p.m. PT. Neither the M's or the Astros have named their starting pitchers yet.

Related Stories on Seattle Mariners

NEW PODCAST EPISODE IS OUT: The third episode of the "Refuse to Lose" podcast is out! In this episode, we look at the Mariners three-game slide into the All-Star break, Scott Servais taking out Logan Gilbert early and we talk with Robbie Faulk of ON3, who covers Mississippi State baseball and M's first-round pick Jurrangelo Cijntje. CLICK HERE:

GOING TO COOPERSTOWN: Mariners Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez are heading to Coopertown this weekend for the induction ceremony at the Hall of Fame, which includes former M's third baseman Adrian Beltre. CLICK HERE:

DDT: The Mariners have said they are a draft, develop and trade organization, and they have taken advantage of that this week by coming to terms - or getting close to - with most of their 20 draft picks. CLICK HERE:

Follow Inside the Mariners on social media

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE: