Houston's turnaround has been wild, going from a non-contender to just 0.5 games out of the AL Wild Card. This sudden resurgence gives them a legitimate shot at the postseason, but don't let that fool you: their pitching rotation is a legitimate mess, sporting a dreadful 5.29 ERA, the second-worst in all of MLB.
That Astros Comeback Is Hiding A Major Problem
Remember when everyone thought the Astros were cooked earlier this year? It got to a point where even Yordan Alvarez, Josh Hader, and Hunter Brown were being thrown around as potential trade chips. Crazy, right? Well, they've clearly made up some serious ground since May 21, racking up a 26-19 record that has them right back in the thick of the AL postseason hunt. They're not just eyeing a Wild Card spot, they're even within striking distance of the AL West title, which feels a bit too close for comfort. Because of this unexpected surge, MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting what many are whispering: the Astros "desperately" want to trade for starting pitching at this year's August 3 trade deadline.Who's Pitching Like It's Batting Practice? And Who Could Save Them?
The numbers don't lie. Their 5.29 ERA is simply awful, meaning the rotation is consistently getting shelled. You've got guys like Tatsuya Imai, who's been wildly inconsistent, and they simply can't rely on Spencer Arrighetti, Peter Lambert, or Cristian Javier to consistently perform behind Hunter Brown this season. It's a real problem. On top of that rotation nightmare, general manager Dana Brown and his team are also eyeing a left-handed hitting outfielder, with names like Colorado Rockies outfielders Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy fitting the bill. Fortunately for Houston, Nightengale says this is a good year to need a starter, with plenty of arms potentially available. Guys like Freddy Peralta, Robbie Ray, Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Eduardo Rodriguez, Trevor Rogers, and Michael Wacha could all be on the block. So, the Astros are in full-on buyer mode. Dana Brown and company are likely going hard after those lefty-hitting outfielders and, most importantly, some starting pitching upgrades this summer. If they manage to pull off some significant moves by the August 3 trade deadline and patch up that gaping hole in their rotation, they could seriously make some noise in the Wild Card race or even the division. It's going to be an interesting deadline for Houston, that's for damn sure, and how Dana Brown navigates these waters will tell us everything about their true postseason ambitions.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.