Astros' abbreviated starts taking toll on weary bullpen
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NEW YORK -- The Astros have a starting pitching problem, which has rippled down to a bullpen that has carried an increasing workload in August and could be showing signs of wear and tear. The timing couldn’t be worse, considering Houston is two games into a stretch of 13 crucial games without a day off.
The Astros have gone 13 consecutive games without a starting pitcher finishing six innings of work, though Peter Lambert came within one out of doing that in Wednesday night’s 9-3 loss to New York at Yankee Stadium. Lambert threw 30 of his 102 pitches in the first inning and recovered to grind through 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned).
The score was tied in the seventh when southpaw reliever Bennett Sousa, who has struggled against lefties this year (.807 OPS entering Wednesday), allowed six of the seven batters he faced -- all lefties -- to reach, including a two-run double by Cody Bellinger that snapped a 3-3 tie. The Yankees scored four times off Sousa in the seventh and twice off Enyel De Los Santos in the eighth to pull away.
The Astros’ bullpen has an 8.76 ERA in the past six games, which includes four scoreless innings in Friday’s 4-0 win over the A’s. Houston relievers had a 2.89 ERA from May 1-Aug. 19 after a difficult April in which they had endured a heavy workload from an injured rotation.
“I expect our starters to start getting us deep in the game, but right now taking your starter out in the fourth inning could wear down on you,” Espada said. “We’re trying to navigate those waters, but we’ll find a way.”
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To make matters worse, the Astros are essentially working a man short in the bullpen. Tatsuya Imai, who was removed from the rotation at the end of July, is in mothballs in the bullpen, having pitched only three times in relief this month. He had a 5.83 ERA as a starter.
The Astros called up No. 9 prospect Ethan Pecko last week to join the rotation, and he has walked seven batters and allowed seven runs in eight innings in two starts. Cristian Javier has thrown only four innings in each of his past two starts, and even ace Hunter Brown isn’t going deep. He has thrown 21 2/3 innings in four August starts, posting a 3.74 ERA in four Astros losses in the month.
With rosters set to expand in a week, the Astros will be able to add one pitcher. That’s likely starter Mike Burrows, who made his third rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday. Burrows had a 5.99 ERA in 94 2/3 innings for the Astros before going on the injured list July 7 with right elbow neuritis.
Varsho is heating up
Outfielder Daulton Varsho, who got off to a slow start after being acquired by the Astros at the Trade Deadline from Toronto, went 2-for-4 with a homer Wednesday. He is hitting .346 in his past six games with three doubles and two homers. Varsho has settled into the fifth spot in the batting order.
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“The at-bats have been better, the outcome and the results have been better,” Espada said. “He’s hitting the ball hard, he’s hitting the ball the other way. He’s more comfortable. He’s kind of embracing the big spot more and he looks more comfortable swinging at better pitchers. If we can get him hot right now, which it looks like he's headed that way, we can really use that bat in the middle of our lineup."
Correa could return in September
Carlos Correa, who was thought to be out for the year after undergoing peroneus brevis tendon repair surgery on his left ankle on May 11, is making so much progress in his rehab that Espada said Wednesday that Correa could be ready to go at some point in September.
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Correa was cleared to begin swinging a bat three weeks ago, and during the last homestand he was on the field daily prior to games running in the outfield. Espada said Correa has another doctor’s appointment next week, at which point he could be cleared to do more work.
If Correa returns, the big question will be where he plays -- or rather, whose spot he will take in the infield. Two of the Astros’ best hitters are at third base (Isaac Paredes) and shortstop (Jeremy Peña), which are the two positions Correa can play. Paredes could play second base, which would mean Jose Altuve would have to get at-bats at DH or left field.