The Astros are down 0-2 in the World Series after the Washington National's touched up two of the game's best pitchers.
Gerrit Cole was human, even vulnerable, in the Astros' loss in Game 1, giving up five runs and not striking out nearly as many batters as usual.
Then in Game 2, the Nationals jumped on Verlander early. The story of that game was the six-run seventh inning which buried the Astros for the night.
But as Josh Reddick explained after the game, they haven't looked like themselves all postseason.
The Nationals are exposing the Astros and Houston's much-anticipated World Series run is turning into a flop if they don't flip the script quickly.
Chandler Rome at the Houston Chronicle pointed out the Astros are 8-for-63 with runners in scoring position since Game 1 of the American League Championship. They're 17-for-87 with runners in scoring position in 13 playoff games.
Twenty combined baserunners were left stranded in the first two World Series games at Minute Maid.
The Astros are playing their worst at the worst possible time.
Payne & Pendergast removed Verlander from the Circle of Trust!
Verlander said he just didn't have a good feel in the first inning of Game 2, when he walked the leadoff hitter and gave up a two-run double to Anthony Rendon.
He felt good after that, with the Astros responding to tie it until everything unraveled in the final three innings.
"We know that this wasn't our best form of baseball and even when we did put something together and hit a ball hard, it was right at somebody. You know, that's the nature of it," Verlander said. "Just keep grinding, just keep finding a way to win a ball game. We go in and start winning a couple of games in D.C. and can flip the script very quickly."
Jose Altuve said the Astros' confidence hasn't been shaken. Sometimes you have to tip your cap to the other team.
The Nationals may be a Wild Card team, but they belong here.
"They're hitting, man. They're hitting really good," Altuive said. "They're pitching. They're playing good defense. I guess, it's baseball. One team has to win and the other one has to lose. But I don't think they're going to win every game. We're going to go out there and play hard."
The Astros have played hard. They just need to play better.
Alex Bregman's bat reappeared in the first inning, then his glove and throwing arm failed him in the seventh.
If the Astros could rely on anything this season, it's been Bregman and the top of the rotation.
That's not going to be enough to win the World Series. Fortunately, there's still plenty of baseball left to play.
"We're going to go to Washington with our heads held high, ready to go and get after it," Bregman said. "We've lost two games before. I remember when we lost three in New York and the world was coming to an end. And then, next thing you know when in the World Series 9in 2017).
"So we've been here before."
The Nationals host the Astros on Friday at 7:07 p.m. CT.
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