Houston Astros: 2017 Post Season Roster Predictions

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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 22: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Minute Maid Park on September 22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

1. Pitch Perfect

12 Pitchers:

Starting Rotation – Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Brad Peacock, Charlie Morton, Collin McHugh

Bullpen – Lance McCullers, Joe Musgrove, Chris Devinski, Will Harris, Luke Gregerson, Ken Giles, Tyler Clippard

At the beginning of the season, the rotation was the problem for the pitching staff. In recent games, it has undoubtedly been the bullpen.

Before Justin Verlander joined the team on August 31st, there were concerns about the starters not going more than 5 innings. In some cases, they even went fewer than 5 innings.

All of that seemed to disappear when JV was acquired mere seconds before the waiver wire deadline. It is safe to say that his coming to Houston has been nothing but a positive.

Verlander has made 4 starts with the Astros since being acquired, he has won every last one of them. In the process, he has been sporting an ERA below 1 and a WHIP below 0.80 since arriving in H-Town.

So it should come as no surprise that the team has long since tapped Verlander to start game 1 in the playoffs. With Keuchel right behind him, that will be a very lethal one-two punch. McCullers, unfortunately, will find himself heading to the bullpen with his recent struggles in the second half.

The rest of the bullpen is interchangeable. But if you want to close games out effectively, you’ll go with the pitchers listed above. This will also exclude Mike Fiers from making the Houston Astros Post Season Roster.

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