Astros try to break out of slump with new-look lineup featuring Carlos Correa change

The Astros are going with a new-look lineup in search of some life on offense.

The Houston Astros looked to be elite once again after a 6-1 start to the season. The team now enters play Thursday with a record of 7-10.

The Astros have failed to score more than three runs in each of the past four games and manager Dusty Baker switched things up in the lineup for Thursday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Angels.

Astros switch up lineup to jumpstart offense

Right-hander Alex Cobb is on the mound for the Angels. For reference, the last time the Astros faced a right-hander was earlier this week in Colorado.

Myles Straw batted leadoff and Carlos Correa was batting cleanup. The struggling Straw is not in the eighth spot while Baker wants Correa to leadoff and hopefully carry the lineup. Michael Brantley and Alex Bregman will hold down their usual spots in the order.

Correa has never hit leadoff in his entire career. But Jose Altuve remains out and that means Baker must get creative. This also maximizes the amount of at-bats Correa can get in a game, which is always good when it comes to star players.

The key for Correa in his new role will be to limit his strikeouts. He has 12 so far this season, which ties him for the second-most on the team. However, that is not a terrible total in 17 games. The real problem is Martin Maldonado striking out 19 times in only 37 at-bats.

The Astros just got swept against the Rockies and scored a combined five runs in two games. That is a terrible result in what is a great hitters park.

Will this change work? If not, fans are going to be wondering what, if anything, can get the team back to its expected winning ways. A true slump could mean Correa is traded sooner than later.