Yordan Alvarez might be tearing it up, even pushing for the MLB Triple Crown and AL MVP, but don’t let that distract you from the absolute dumpster fire brewing in Houston’s rotation. The Astros are somehow back in the postseason conversation, but Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller just dropped a stat bomb that shows exactly why they’re gonna have a brutal time winning any series: their starting pitching has a collective 5.12 ERA this season. Yeah, you read that right, 5.12 ERA. That’s a massive problem for Houston, and it’s a statistic that could absolutely wreck their October, even if they claw their way into the postseason.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Rotation in Crisis
When you look at that 5.12 ERA, it’s not just one or two guys. Miller pointed out that a staggering 16 starting pitchers have combined for this mess. Think about that for a second! Sixteen! The only actual bright spots? Hunter Brown, with a decent 3.67 ERA, and Pete Lambert, who’s been impressive with a 3.11 ERA. Those guys have been solid for Houston. But outside of those two, it’s a total wasteland. We’re talking about a lineup of starters who have either lost their spots, been traded, or are just plain struggling.
Take Spencer Arrighetti, for example. Before he got traded, he was rocking a 4.60 ERA. Then there’s Michael Burrows, a supposed big acquisition this offseason, who’s been a massive disappointment with a 5.99 ERA in 18 appearances. And it gets worse: Tatsuya Imai’s got a 5.29 ERA, Kai-Wei Teng a 4.35 ERA, Lance McCullers a shocking 6.86 ERA, Cristian Javier a 6.68 ERA, Ronel Blanco a wild 7.71 ERA, and Hayden Wesneski a 5.40 ERA. Seriously, how do you even build a pitching plan with those numbers?
Game 3 Nightmare Looms for Houston
With numbers like that, it’s no wonder Miller basically threw his hands up, saying, “Good luck figuring out who starts Game 3 of the postseason…” Because honestly, outside of Brown and Lambert, who do they trust? If the Astros somehow hold onto their slim 2.0-game AL West lead and make it to October, this lack of a decent third starting pitcher is going to be a nightmare. Yordan Alvarez could win the AL MVP and the Triple Crown, but if the pitching staff can’t even get past the third game of a series, what’s it all for? It’s going to be a massive issue for Houston. And with manager Joe Espada reportedly on the hot seat, expected to be fired if they miss the postseason, the stakes couldn’t be higher for them to find some answers on the mound. They need to figure something out, and fast, before that 5.12 ERA derails everything they’re fighting for.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply