Houston Astros: Postseason shed light on team’s shoddy bullpen

It’s typically unfair to criticize a team that just won the World Series. But after watching the Houston Astros pitching staff in the playoffs, it’s clear it needs to improve.

Offensively, there wasn’t much else the Houston Astros could have done in the playoffs or the World Series. Everyone in the lineup contributed to the 34 runs they scored across seven games to clinch the team’s first ever championship.

But the primetime postseason madness made something more apparent about the team’s bullpen – it needs improvement.

Every starting pitcher yielded runs in their respective starts against Los Angeles, while a majority of relievers did not. However, the playoffs still highlighted that the champions have an issue in the late innings of the game.

The main issue in the first four games of the World Series revolved around the team’s predominant closer: Ken Giles. He surrendered five runs in 1 2/3 innings of work, including two blown saves and a loss. He didn’t pitch in Game 6 or Game 7.

That wasn’t the only time he collapsed this postseason.

Against the Yankees, the fireballer notched a blown save and a loss in Game 4 after surrendering two runs while recording just one out. He pitched one inning in Game 6, but it was when the Stros had a significant lead.

It seems that A.J. Hinch realized he possessed a somewhat shallow group of effective relievers by the end of the playoffs.

Brad Peacock, Chris Devenski and Francisco Liriano balked the Dodgers’ key opportunities in Game 7, yet it was a starting pitcher that capped off the series by pitching the final four innings.

In the ALCS, Hinch also relied on a starting pitcher to finish the final game. Lance McCullers Jr. tossed four innings – and 24 straight curveballs – to flummox the Yankees.

With a majority of its players returning next season, the Astros are already a key contender for the 2018 crown. The only pitchers leaving Houston are Tyler Clippard, Luke Gregerson and Francisco Liriano, all of whom played small roles in the playoffs.

Can they capture back-to-back titles with the current corps of relievers? Probably not.

The bullpen was mediocre in the regular season, finishing 18th in the league in relief ERA. That doesn’t correlate with the starters’ ERA, which ranked sixth overall. Relievers just got worse as the season continued.

Of the team’s 12 pitchers in the postseason, the five that posted the worst ERAs were all relievers. Peacock quieted the Dodgers’ offense in that Game 7, but struggled throughout October. Collin McHugh and Joe Musgrove, who moved from the rotation into the pen, both scuffled when it mattered.

The team’s two most reliable relievers in the regular season – Giles and Devenski – posted the two worst ERAs in the postseason. Both are typically the late-inning arms for the world champs, but that could be up for debate in the future.

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Houston faced a similar problem in 2016, as whoever owned the ninth-inning role continuously created problems. Giles was inconsistent despite a high strikeout rate and Will Harris shone momentarily before eventually being thrust out of the position.

Both bounced back in 2017, and Devenski added himself to the list by puzzling hitters with his changeup. Devenski sported a 2.68 ERA with an 11.16 K/9 ratio and Giles owned a 2.30 ERA with an 11.92 K/9 ratio. They just weren’t nearly as effective come October.

Few free agents are considered top-tier relievers, but one can save two problems for Houston. The Astros lack not only a trustworthy closer in big games, but also a premier southpaw in the pen.

To kill two birds with one stone, general manager Jeff Luhnow can acquire Tony Watson, who has experience in critical roles. The lefty put together a great season on the bump with a 2.70 ERA during his time in Los Angeles.

Unlike many of the Houston relievers, he was even better in the playoffs. Watson allowed just two runs in seven innings – a 2.57 ERA – and a minuscule .86 WHIP for the Dodgers. If there’s any team that needs his help, it’s the Astros.

Next: What happens with Mike Fiers?

Surely they won’t be the only ones to target the efficient bullpen arm, but fresh off a championship, they could definitely gather his attention.

Until then, fans shouldn’t be completely confident in their relief unit heading into next season.