Exclusive: Less than four months after agreeing to a contract with the Houston Astros, the team’s most experienced pitcher is about to let go to join the Boston Red Sox for personal reasons.

Some things to think about as the all-important month of June approaches

Under this current run of Astros’ dominance, June is usually a month when Houston hits its stride on the field, but mindful of what it might need in the trade market. Even last season, when Houston seemed stuck in neutral before surging and when they were looking up at the Rangers, there was not a question of whether Houston would get to the playoffs, but would they be a division winner. That constant got upended this season. The team will end the month under .500, looking up at Seattle and Texas/Arlington in the standings.

Two straight under .500 months haven’t been seen in a Houston full season since 2014. While many don’t really see 2024 ending without Houston in the playoffs, it is far from a certainty. Perhaps hyperbole, but June 2024 might be one of the most consequential months in Astros’ history. A team that is all about contending for championships in the here-and-now is also aware of the demands of time. With stalwarts like Verlander, Bregman and Pressly slated for free agency at the end of this year (or in a position for that to happen), there is the sense of a last ride. What should Houston do? A few thoughts.

Houston must be no worse than 1-2 games under .500 by July 1. Given that Houston entered May nine games under .500, it was going to be a tall order to get back over .500 for June. Houston got as close as five under, but have not been able to improve beyond that. Worst case (which is not all that unlikely), Houston starts June nine games under. While plenty of season left, time is not on the Astros’ side forever. Right now, Houston has no reason to alter the course of the team this season or make any moves that might signify some sort of rebuild. Yet, there will come a point when perhaps the deficit can be a bit too much to overcome. Nine under in May or even the start of June, especially in a weak division (more later) is not a death knell. Yet, if a team is significantly under .500 coming into July, then some brutal questions arise. For Houston, it means a rethink about the 2024 goals and the implications for 2025 and beyond. With a weak farm system and a higher payroll than Crane would like, but with a talented team still on the roster, a soft rebuild is an option for a reset for 2025 and reloading for another contention window.

The June Schedule Offers Houston the Chance to Salvage the Season: While expecting any team, even this one, to go undefeated for a month is impossible, June would appear to offer Houston the chance to build off some of its progress from May. After a 12-24 start, playing against arguably the toughest schedule in MLB, Houston found success, mainly against weaker opponents

like Oakland and Colorado, but they did take down division-leaders Cleveland and Milwaukee. In June, they get home matchups against Minnesota (2); St. Louis (3); Detroit (3), Baltimore (3); Colorado (2) and road tilts with the Angels (3); San Francisco (3); Chicago White Sox (3); and the New York Mets (3). Aside from Baltimore, none of those teams are what you’d call a juggernaut. While the Astros are not the winning constant of the past, if they are going to get back over .500, this is a schedule against which they can and should feast. Regardless of what Seattle and/or Texas/Arlington do, if Houston can’t get over .500, the rest doesn’t matter.