Houston Astros: Can Dallas Keuchel reach 20 wins in 2015?

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Can Dallas Keuchel reach 20 wins in 2015?

Aug 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches against the Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz (23) in the top of the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Keuchel recently became the first Houston Astros pitcher to win the AL Pitcher of the Month award for the third time this season. If it weren’t for teammate Scott Kazmir winning the award in July, Keuchel would have won four straight pitcher of the month awards. Add this to the potential Golden Glove award that appears to have his name written all over it with his 62.5% groundball percentage. Keuchel already was named the starter for the All-Star game for the AL, and he is in discussion to be the AL Cy Young award winner.

The one thing not so clear though is if he will be able to reach 20 wins this season because wins are not always under the control of the starting pitcher. The offense has to be able to score runs which is something that this Astros team has struggled to do recently. Pitching eight innings of shutout ball doesn’t guarantee that the pitcher will get the win if the team doesn’t score any runs. Should Keuchel get the lead, he would the have to rely on the normally reliable bullpen, but there have been some leaks recently.

While Keuchel would have to pitch well to qualify for the win, many factors could get in his way. Keuchel is sitting at 16 wins so far, with less than a month in the season to go. Will he have enough time to get those four wins, let’s take a look at his possible opponents could be, but these could change if Astros stay on with a six-man rotation?

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

Sunday, September 6: Minnesota Twins (Home)

Saturday, September 12, L.A. Angels (Away)

Wednesday, September 16, Texas Rangers (Away)

Tuesday, September 22, L.A. Angels (Home)

Monday, September 28, Seattle Mariners (Away)

That leaves Keuchel with between 4-5 starts between now and the end of the season. If he goes every fifth game, he is perfectly set up to pitch game one of a potential playoff series.

March/April: 3 Wins

May: 4 wins (Pitcher of the Month)

June: 3 wins (Pitcher of the Month)

July: 2 wins

August: 4 wins (Pitcher of the Month)

Keuchel has won four games in a month twice this season, but what he has going against him this time around is that he will be playing three of the remaining five games on the road. He has struggled at times on the road.

Home: 12-0 with a 1.35 ERA.

Road: 4-6 with a 3.35 ERA.

Next: Will Keuchel win 20?

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