The Houston Astros are ready to put August behind them as one month remains until the 2025 MLB playoffs. Manager Joe Espada's club has plenty of momentum on its side as it enters the weekend with a three-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West division race, leaving time to tell if the Astros can hold onto that lead throughout September.
The Astros need everyone playing to their full potential to challenge for a World Series title. That's why struggling starter Lance McCullers Jr. was moved to the bullpen earlier this week (h/t The Athletic's Chandler Rome). The former All-Star hurler owns a 2-4 record and 6.89 ERA in 12 starts this season, and Houston is hoping the move will help him find his stride.
Still, the Astros' rotation is down a name after McCullers' role change, which is why they might want to target the MLB's newest free agent.
The Boston Red Sox released veteran right-hander Walker Buehler.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 29, 2025
Astros Should Sign Walker Buehler After Red Sox Release
A new free agent is on the market after the Boston Red Sox released starting pitcher Walker Buehler on Friday, according to ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan. The former two-time World Series-winning righty struggled to meet expectations after signing a $21.05 million contract with the Red Sox in the winter, and is now looking for a fresh start.
Buehler appeared in 23 games (22 starts) with Boston since Opening Day, going 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA and 1.558 WHIP. It was far from the type of performances he demonstrated during his run with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but that doesn't mean that the Astros shouldn't roll the dice on the 31-year-old veteran.
After all, it was only in 2021 when Buehler amassed career highs in wins (16), ERA (2.47), and WAR (7.1) en route to finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young race. He's struggled to return to that form since undergoing Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss the 2023 season; however, a fresh start in Houston could motivate him to turn back the clock.
It's also important to remember that Buehler is a proven playoff performer. The Lexington, KY native is 4-4 with a 3.04 ERA across 19 postseason games (94 2/3 innings), all while holding opponents to 10.8 strikeouts and 6.9 hits per nine innings. He's also pitched extremely well in the four World Series games he's participated in, surrendering only one earned run on seven hits with 24 strikeouts in 19 innings.
MLB players can only be playoff-eligible if they're on a 40-man roster as of 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, meaning Houston has to act quickly if it wants the two-time All-Star in its postseason lineup.
World Series titles are won with experience, and that's exactly what Buehler brings to the table. He's consistently proven he can step up in the playoffs, and that alone is enough reason for the Astros to sign and use him in the rotation over McCullers down the stretch.