Houston Astros: Three guys that need extra playing time down the stretch
By T.A. Mock
Ryan Pressly, RHP
The Houston Astros acquired Ryan Pressly a few days prior to the non-waiver deadline at the end of July. Since coming over, he’s done nothing but pitch lights out. He has a 1.15 ERA and an outstanding 0.45 WHIP since coming over from the Twins.
Those numbers put him at a 2.84 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP for the entire season. He also has figured out something for himself this year in regard to his strikeouts as he’s blown his previous strikeouts per nine innings out of the water. This year he’s at 12.9 for the whole year while his previous high was 9.0.
More from House of Houston
- Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
- Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
- Astros-Twins Wild Card Series: 5 things to know as MLB postseason begins
- Houston Texans: The Most Underrated Sports Drought Ever
- Houston Texans: J.J. Watt’s early case for NFL Hall of Fame
As his time with the Astros has progressed, so as he. It took him a little bit to get in a rhythm in with his new squad but, he appears to be hitting it now. Last night, he pitched an inning against his former team and struck out the side.
Pressly needs to be one of the first guys out of the pen for the Astros down the stretch. He’s been lights out, as we just broke down, and has become a part of a formidable trio at the back end of the Astros bullpen. Trotting out Pressly followed by Hector Rondon, when he gets healthy again, and then having Roberto Osuna closing games is about as lights out as you can get.
Pressly should be a go-to guy over Will Harris, Chris Devenski, and Joe Smith. He’s earned that right with the way he’s been pitching. He’s been clutch for this team and is going to be an ace arm out of the pen for the rest of the regular season and beyond.
Next. Three keys to winning the AL West pennant. dark
Hinch has always been creative with lineups and innovative when it comes to working pitching matchups. These three guys need to be at the forefront of his mind when he’s figuring out lineups and matchups.