Houston Astros wisely letting Dallas Keuchel go at his own pace

Injuries are never a good thing, but Dallas Keuchel’s time on the disabled list is coming at just the right time for the Houston Astros.

While the Houston Astros are off to one of their best starts in franchise history, Dallas Keuchel is rediscovering the dominance he possessed in 2015. Bound for a 20-win season, Keuchel recorded a 2.48 ERA to eventually win the AL Cy Young Award. Now, Keuchel is 9-0 with a major league-leading 1.67 ERA in 11 starts.

Nearly everything is working in Keuchel’s favor, except several trips to the disabled list. These frequent stints on the sideline raises the heart rate of fans, but in reality the Astros are wise to be wary with their ace.

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The same pinched nerve in his neck that initially sent him to the disabled list on May 17 continued to give Keuchel problems and shut him down on June 8 after skipping his start due to illness the day before. According to rotoworld, Keuchel is expected to miss only one or two starts. That time off the mound puts him several starts behind his fellow aces, such as Clayton Kershaw who is 14 starts into his seasons.

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Yet, for the time being, the Astros are in a position where his presence on the mound every fifth game is not necessary for them to succeed. It is their offense that is carrying them to a major league-leading 47-24 record and an 12-game lead in the division.

By allowing Keuchel to go at his own pace, the Astros are keeping the bigger picture in mind. They are not on the hunt for merely the division pennant or American League championship, but their eyes are fixed bringing Houston its first-ever World Series championship.

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There is little doubt the Astros will reach the postseason and they want Keuchel as fresh as possible come October over him making each start. Recording another 20-plus win season to potentially win another Cy Young Award are fine and dandy, but chasing regular season glory runs the risk of emptying Keuchel’s tank before October.