Houston Astros: Dallas Keuchel rebounding well throughout July
By Kyle Cardoza
If the Houston Astros plan to compete with the Yankees, Red Sox and Mariners, they will need all pitchers to perplex opponents in the second half. Dallas Keuchel, after a month to forget, is getting back on track this month.
To say that Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel struggled in June is an understatement. The former Cy Young award winner posted an ERA near 6.00 in that span.
But the southpaw has found his rhythm as the All-Star break approaches.
Houston won four straight games with Keuchel on the mound. And he held up his own in three of the four matchups, tossing quality starts. He lowered his ERA from 4.22 to 3.75 since the calendar turned to July.
The 30-year-old looked like the primetime pitcher of old in each of his previous three outings. He induced hitters into ground balls, while limiting clutch hits with runners in scoring position. In fact, Keuchel compiled a season-high 17 grounders against the White Sox two starts ago.
And when the left-handed hurler is at his best when he keeps balls on the ground.
Keuchel’s command is still above-average, and he’s kept hitters in check, primarily by keeping the ball in the park. The Astros lefty surrendered 12 home runs until June 5. However, since then, no one has left the park against him.
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While the Arkansas product still owns a losing record, he no longer sports the worst ERA among Houston’s starters. And the Astros need Keuchel to continue his rebound.
Though his pinpoint accuracy has returned for the most part, he still isn’t missing many bats. Hitters own a .263 average against him, compiling about one hit per every inning pitched.
Moreover, Keuchel’s perplexing pitches are fooling fewer players this season. He’s posted the fewest strikeouts per nine innings compared to any other season throughout his career.
However, Astros fans surely don’t anticipate the bearded wonder to accrue double-digit strikeouts nearly every outing. His season-high for whiffs this year is just eight.
Nevertheless, Houston sees this trend as promising.
The last time Keuchel endured a disastrous beginning to the season was in 2016. But as that campaign progressed, he continued to return to his old style – and results. After posting an inflated 6.63 ERA across May, he owned a 4.30, 3.94 and 3.10 ERA in the following three months, respectively.
This year, the Astros pitcher labored through most of June. Yet, if history tells fans anything, it’s that Keuchel will gradually return to his old self throughout summer and into fall.
Next: Discussing Keuchel's inconsistent career in Houston
It’s evident that he will be an important piece if Houston clinches a playoff spot, as he could be the club’s fourth starter.