The Houston Astros are in a tailspin. Yes, you read that right. The team many considered a World Series favorite is currently sporting a dismal 7-19 record, their worst start since 1969, with only veteran pitcher Justin Verlander delivering some sort of performance to hold up the games.

The blame can’t be placed solely on pitching, though their third-highest league ERA of 5.07 is far from ideal. The microscope is firmly trained on the Astros’ bats, which have gone ice cold despite boasting a league-leading average and hit total. So, what’s going on in Houston? Let’s break it down.

Justin Verlander did his part. He battled through five innings, allowing just one run against the Chicago Cubs. “He did exactly what the young guys don’t do in those situations,” says insider Michael Connor on Locked On Sports Houston. “You see the difference… in veteran and rookie—veteran gets out of those situations.”

Verlander’s outing was a beacon in an otherwise bleak series for Houston, who were swept by Chicago. However, the bats went silent once again. The Stros managed a measly two hits over the final eight innings, stranding a whopping nine baserunners. It looks like this offensive futility has become a recurring theme for Houston this season.

Here’s the head-scratcher: the Astros lead the American League in hits and are tied for first in batting average. They’re putting the ball in play, but they’re not translating that contact into runs. “It’s just everything’s not clicking right now,” utilityman Mauricio Dubón reflected to The Houston Chronicle.

The crux of the issue seems to be clutch hitting. Houston is near the bottom of the league in runs scored and has a knack for leaving men on base, especially with scoring opportunities.

Manager Joe Espada is understandably frustrated. He’s tried lineup tweaks, like moving Alex Bregman to the second spot, but the results haven’t materialized yet. Espada even got himself ejected for arguing balls and strikes, a sign of the team’s mounting desperation.

“They’re fighting, man,” Espada said about his team. “They want to get back to playing the type of baseball that we are capable of. But it’s not happening. And it’s not going to happen unless we change.”

Other than Justin Verlander, is there hope for a turnaround?

The good news? The Astros have a talented roster, and they’ve faced adversity before. As Bregman said, “Everyone in here believes.” However, time is ticking.

The longer they stay mired in this slump, the steeper the climb back to contention becomes. Bregman’s call to “get back to the basics” seems like a sound one: executing pitches like Justin Verlander does, playing solid defense, and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. There’s also a historical precedent to consider.

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The 1914 Boston Braves are the only team in MLB history to overcome such a dreadful start (19-26) and make the playoffs. Can the Stars replicate that feat? It’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened in baseball.

The road to redemption won’t be easy. Houston faces a brutal upcoming schedule with series against the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers and the fiery New York Yankees. These matchups will be a true test of their resolve. If they can find a way to string together some wins, they might just breathe new life into their season. However, if they continue to struggle—despite having the likes of Justin Verlander on their team—whispers of a potential rebuild could start swirling around Houston.