Are the Houston Astros in trouble or is this just another slow April start? That’s the question everyone seems to be asking after their first 20 games. But as the saying goes, things aren’t always as they seem. In this blog post, we take a closer look at the team’s five starters and their performances so far. We’ll dive into the numbers, examine what’s working and what’s not, and highlight some standout moments. So buckle up, baseball fans, this is going to be an intriguing ride.
Let’s start with Framber Valdez, who has quietly Frambered along with three Quality Starts and an impressive average GameScore of 59.5. Sure, the team hasn’t always backed him up, but Valdez has shown he’s more than capable of holding his own on the mound. And with his elite spin rate on his curveball, he’s got a devastating out pitch that opponents just can’t hit. Martin Maldonado’s magic also seems to settle him down, making Valdez a strong contender for staff ace.
Then there’s Hunter Brown, who after last night’s victory against the Atlanta Braves, has proven himself as an ace-in-waiting. Brown relies on three pitches, a four-seam fastball, a slider, and a curveball, and his curveball’s elite vertical movement is nothing short of wizardly. Although he’s given up more hits this season, he’s got that Bumgarner attitude that inspires his team to rally behind him. Cristian Javier has had his ups and downs, but he’s still a strong contender and someone to keep an eye on. Is it time to panic? Probably not.
Finally, Luis Garcia showed us what he’s truly capable of in his fourth start, producing his highest GameScore ever with a 81. His fastball velocity may not be the best, but his pitch selection and effectiveness make up for it. His cutter, in particular, is a force to be reckoned with and has allowed him to increase his whiff percentage. While his first three starts weren’t great, Garcia has the potential to turn it around and be a key asset to the Astros.
So there you have it, a closer look at the Houston Astros’ five starters and their performances thus far. It’s important to keep in mind that it’s still early in the season and there’s plenty of time for things to shift and change. But for now, fans can take solace in the fact that their team has some strong players on the mound.
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