Houston Astros: The Feldman Factor

It’s crunch time Houston Astros fans.

We’re heading toward the home stretch and it’s not going to get easier!

As the Astros lose games here and there, our divisional rival — the Texas Rangers — keeps inching closer and closer.

I recall at one point during the season, we weren’t even worried about the Rangers being an actual threat for the division as we were comfortably perched at the top.

But that’s the problem.

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This team got comfortable, it got complacent and allowed the Rangers of all teams to make this a hotly contested race toward the finish line.

I would’ve thought the Los Angeles Angels would’ve been right there with us but they’ve been sliding and it looks like they’ll be packing their bags after this month.

The Rangers do hold the other Wild Card slot opposite the New York Yankees as of right now.

With a sense urgency needed more than ever, we need a full staff of talent ready to go and to compete every damn game the rest of the way.

It will be our only way to be successful and fight off those that are trying to rain on our parade.

Speaking of staff, let’s talk about our pitching which has been incredible as of late.

It’s honestly what has kept us afloat if the offense were sputtering and we’ve seen some consistent, solid pitching out of Dallas Keuchel, Scott Kazmir, Collin McHugh, Mike Fiers and Lance McCullers Jr.

I specifically left out Scott Feldman in that series.

Why?

He hasn’t been consistently solid, no…he’s been consistently kicking some tail!

I’m sure you’re aware the Feldman had the lowest ERA (1.33) out of any starting AL pitcher for the month of August.

You’d think that be a shoo-in nomination for AL Pitcher of the Month but Keuchy pitched a tad bit better than Feldman.

Seeing numbers like these thrown around names that are associated with the Astros make me feel proud and is a testament to how good our pitching really is.

Just look at Feldman’s ascent since the All-Star Break — before then, his ERA was 4.80.

Post All-Star Break?

2.79!

Now his overall numbers for the season — 3.90 ERA, 4.33 FIP and 1.311 WHIP — don’t set the world on fire but damn it, the guy can chew up some innings and have razor-sharp focus while doing it.

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He makes mistakes — all pitchers do — but I’d rather have him in my wheelhouse than some wet-behind-the-ears, gum-on-shoes, inexperienced nobody at the mound.

I’m sure none of us would prefer that.

But the news of his injured right throwing shoulder is troubling as MLB.com’s Chandler Rome reports that he inexperienced additional discomfort while playing a simple game of catch before last night’s game against the Minnesota Twins.

His MRI did not indicate a tear so this is just a matter of heavy use of the good ‘ol RICE method — rest, ice, compression and elevation.

I hope that he’ll be ready for his next start, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday against the Oakland A’s on the road.

My best guess is that he’ll have to skip that start — and the one after that — based on his stymied progress.

The obvious move would be to promote Vincent Velasquez into the starting lineup temporarily until Feldman gets this issue worked out.

But what if Feldman’s ailment is long-term?