Everyone has been talking about how the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers will meet in the World Series. If Houston’s pitching staff continues to perform how it has been lately, the Astros may not make it past the first round.
Dallas Keuchel complained when Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow didn’t make a splash at the trade deadline. Now he’s the one with some explaining to do.
The left-handed ace hasn’t made the team’s situation any better since his return from the disabled list. The former Cy Young recipient has put up crooked numbers, his most recent start being an example. Against a lackluster White Sox offense, he surrendered eight runs in just four innings.
In his last three starts, he’s allowed 14 runs in 12 innings. Prior to his time on the DL, he yielded the same amount of runs across 75 2/3 innings.
Keuchel boasted a flawless 9-0 record before he injured his neck. Now he’s lost two consecutive starts. Despite posting just three outings since his DL stint, there are many aspects to identify to express disappointment.
Keuchel: "I was really, really good before I went down and I’ve been really, really bad the three starts post DL."
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) August 9, 2017
The southpaw told the Houston Chronicle’s Jake Kaplan that health isn’t an issue. He hasn’t altered his mechanics, but he might need to soon.
Houston’s starting rotation has received criticism all season. Keuchel and Lance McCullers were masterful in the first half of the season. Brad Peacock was better than expected, while Mike Fiers and Charlie Morton were both serviceable. All of them contributed to the Astros’ 3.93 combined ERA in the first half, which ranked fifth in the league.
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Keuchel’s recent performances may motivate Houston’s front office to make a move, and there are still some options available. Justin Verlander would be the obvious choice, and rumors have connected the two teams together.
And then there’s the McCullers issue. The 26-year-old tossed five straight clunkers before returning to the DL two weeks ago.
All of the team’s pitching questions revolved around the back end of the rotation. Now all of the inquiries center on manager A.J. Hinch’s two most reliable starters.
In all, the entire staff has been questionable since the All-Star break. The Astros sport a 5.43 ERA overall since the turn of the season. Relievers have struggled mightily, as Tony Sipp, Michael Feliz and Francisco Liriano – the trade deadline “answer” – all own ERAs above 10.00 in the second half. That’s not a good sign.
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If Houston expects to win the American League pennant, then its pitching staff will have to rebound. Keuchel is just one example.
But who knows? By the end of the week, Verlander could be sporting a Houston jersey. Surely that would please Hinch and company. And maybe even Keuchel.