Blubaugh to open Wild Card Game 1 for Astros; Brown expected to start Game 2
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HOUSTON -- The Astros will turn to rookie right-hander AJ Blubaugh to start Tuesday’s Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the White Sox at Daikin Park. Blubaugh -- who threw 15 pitches in relief Friday against the A’s, allowing one run in two-thirds of an inning -- will serve as an opener.
Astros ace right-hander Hunter Brown will start Game 2 on Wednesday on normal rest, a source told MLB.com. Houston would then have right-hander Hayden Wesneski lined up for a possible Game 3 on Thursday.
Blubaugh led the Major Leagues with 27 relief appearances of at least two innings this season, the most by an Astros pitcher since Dave Veres had 27 in 1995. He led all relievers with a career-high 96 innings. Blubaugh has thrown more than two innings in only five games this year.
Blubaugh faced the White Sox three times this season, allowing no runs, four hits and two walks while striking out three in four innings.
The Astros used six pitchers to cover nine innings in Sunday’s 9-0 win over the A’s in West Sacramento, a game Houston needed to win to return to the playoffs. Peter Lambert, pitching on two days of rest, threw 41 pitches in two innings and won’t be an option for bulk innings Tuesday. Neither will rookie starter Ethan Pecko, who threw 34 pitches in three scoreless innings Sunday.
Beyond that, the Astros’ bullpen is rested. Miguel Ullola threw 18 pitches Sunday, Bryan Abreu hasn’t pitched since Thursday and closer Josh Hader hasn’t pitched since Wednesday. All would be options to cover some innings in Game 1.
The Astros could also get key left-handed reliever Steven Okert back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him in the final couple of weeks of the regular season. Okert was with the club in West Sacramento and was throwing bullpens. Houston will release its ALWCS roster Tuesday morning.
“He is throwing off the mound again [Monday], so don’t want to jump to any conclusions,” Espada said. “We’re working through our roster. We’re working through a bunch of things now.”