In a surprising turn of events, the Houston Astros, typically known for their dominant starting pitching and strong bullpen, find themselves struggling on the mound this season. However, there is hope on the horizon as they welcome back two key pitchers, Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez, in an effort to stabilize their rotations.

Currently ranked 23rd in the league by fWAR, the Astros' starting pitching has fallen to unheard-of depths for the AL West leaders. With Verlander and Valdez back in action, the team hopes to regain its pitching prowess and rely less on their offensive power.

Speaking of offense, the Astros' strong batting lineup has been their saving grace amidst the pitching struggles. However, it seems that even the offense cannot compensate for the uncharacteristically shaky performances on the mound. The team recently placed Jose Abreu, who has been struggling at the plate this season, on the Florida complex to address his hitting issues.

The Astros' bullpen, which has historically been one of their strengths, has also been a cause for concern. Despite spending big money on upgrades during the offseason, including the signing of Josh Hader, the bullpen has underperformed. Currently ranked as the sixth-worst in the league by fWAR, the bullpen has recorded seven blown saves, tying them for the third-most in MLB.

Unfortunately for Houston, there won't be a major infusion of new help for the struggling bullpen anytime soon. With their bullpen woes persisting, the Astros are facing difficulties in preserving leads and closing out games effectively.

On the other side of the AL West, the Seattle Mariners have had a different experience with their bullpen. Blowing only one save this season, tying them for the fewest in MLB alongside the Toronto Blue Jays, the Mariners have found stability in their relief pitching.

As the Astros work to address their pitching issues and shore up their bullpen, it remains to be seen whether they can regain their dominant form. With Verlander and Valdez back in action, Houston fans are hopeful for a turnaround that will propel them back to the top of the AL West standings.

In the coming weeks, Astros fans will be keeping a close eye on the team's pitching performances, hoping to see improvements that will solidify their position as contenders in the highly competitive division.