Houston Astros: Three guys who can replace Lance McCullers Jr. in the rotation
By T.A. Mock
Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers left Saturday night’s game with right elbow discomfort. Let’s examine 3 guys who could replace him in the rotation.
The Houston Astros are amidst a World Series rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This series has been highlighted, circled, and underlined on both teams and fans calendars since the end of the World Series. It would be a time to prove again which team is better.
The series began Friday night with Justin Verlander on the mound. He pitched an absolute gem with 14 strikeouts in 7.2 innings. The Houston Astros ended up winning that pitchers duel 2-1. Lance McCullers Jr. had the hump for Saturday night’s game. The Astros wound up routing the Dodgers in a 14-0 victory.
Unfortunately, McCullers left the game after warming up prior to the fifth inning. He had made it through the fourth inning but, his last fastball and curveball were about three mph off of his average. Nothing to take note of until he left the game.
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As he was walking off of the field, he was moving his arm and pointing to his elbow. The team confirmed after the game that it was indeed right elbow discomfort that caused him to leave the game. Elbow injuries are always terrified because of the feared Tommy John surgery that can cause pitchers to be out for 1+ years.
McCullers was in the midst of one of his best, healthiest seasons. He had already set a career high with 126 innings pitched to go with a 3.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts per nine innings. He also helped the Astros stand as the only team to use just five starting pitchers the whole year.
For now, the Houston Astros placed McCullers on the 10-day DL and have activated Roberto Osuna from the restricted list. But, Osuna is a reliever and won’t take that spot in the rotation. So, let’s take a look at three guys who could take his spot in the rotation.