The Houston Astros faced a disappointing loss to the Seattle Mariners, falling short in their second game of the series, leaving them 3.5 games behind the Mariners in the American League West standings. As the season progresses past the one-third mark, the Astros' underperformance by key veterans raises concern. With players like Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz struggling, questions about their postseason viability loom.

Altuve's struggles, particularly with a subpar OPS+ and a troubling trend of hitting fewer line drives, suggest a possible decline in performance. Christian Walker, despite a low batting average, shows promise with solid underlying metrics, while Yainer Diaz's youth offers hope for a rebound. As postseason aspirations hang in the balance, the Astros' management must navigate these challenges to reclaim their competitive edge.