HOUSTON - - The Houston Astros split their four-game season-opening series with the Chicago White Sox after losing on Sunday 6-3 at Minute Maid Park.

Ok, everyone. Calm down; they still have 158 more games to play this season. They will be just fine.

Please consider that the Astros have been dealing with a lot of fanfare that comes with being the reigning World Series Champions and missing two critical bats in their lineup with second baseman Jose Altuve (Thumb) and Michael Brantley (Shoulder) on the IL.

Combine that with the usual slow start at the plate by third baseman Alex Bregman who has yet to record a hit in 16 at-bats, and their 2-2 record could be a blessing in disguise.

Where the Astros struggled during their opening series was on the mound. The starting pitchers never made it past five innings, and the relievers allowed 14 hits in 17 innings pitched.

As Houston prepares to take on the Detroit Tigers in a three-game series starting Monday, some adjustments will be made, so there is no need to panic.

Shortstop Jeremy Peña continued to prove to the fans why choosing him over hometown favorite Carlos Correa last season was the right choice by the organization. The 2022 World Series MVP had a hit in the first three games of the series and continued to impress the baseball world with his ability to make eye-popping plays at his position.

Although slugger Yordan Alvarez got to rest in Sunday’s finale, his impact was also felt through the first three games. His .455 batting average and five RBIs to start the season have made most forget that he missed most of Spring Training and only had seven plate appearances.

Houston will need to gain momentum in the Tigers series and not allow a desperate Detroit team to beat them, something that former Astros manager A.J. Hinch looks forward to doing every time he comes to Minute Maid Park. Detroit lost all three games in their season-opening series against Tampa Bay, as they were only able to score three total runs in the series.

Astros RHP Hunter Brown, a native of Detroit, will make his 2023 season debut against his hometown team on Monday. It will be the second time he has faced the Tigers in his major league career. He received a no-decision last season after pitching six innings and allowing five hits and two runs.