Astros: Offense to face familiar foe in LHP Jaime Garcia

2 of 3

Sep 26, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) pitches to a Cincinnati Reds batter during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Left-handed pitchers are more scarce in major league baseball.

Even with a heavy dose at the beginning of the season, facing six left-handed starters, four different pitchers, in the first nine games of the regular season, the Houston Astros have only faced nine left-handed starters so far this season. With the Atlanta Braves LHP Jaime Garcia facing the Astros on May 10^th, let’s take a look at how the Astros have fared against left-handed starters this season.

How have the Astros offense fared against LHP?

In 50.2 innings of work against left-handed starters, the Astros have scored 16 earned runs on 39 hits and 21 walks, amounting to a 1.18 WHIP. Against the seven different starters, Astros hitters have struck out 42 times.

It is easy to see why the Astros were successful against certain left-handed starters. For example, Seattle Mariners LHP James Paxton opened his season facing the Astros in back-to-back starts. In his 13 innings of work, he shutout the Astros, giving up only six hits and three walks, striking out 13.

In comparison, the Astros roughed up LHP Ariel Miranda, the starter after Paxton in the Mariners rotation, in his first two outings of the year, giving up six earned runs on 12 hits and five walks in 10.2 innings of work. The problem? Miranda gave up three home runs in those two starts.

The last left-handed starter the Astros faced was Texas Rangers LHP Alex Claudio on May 2nd. Making a spot start, the Rangers pitcher gave up three runs on four hits, including home runs by 2B Jose Altuve and Marwin Gonzalez, striking out one in four innings of work. The Astros ended up winning the game 8-7.

Next, the Astros will face a familiar foe in Garcia.

Mar 12, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) throws a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Who is Jaime Garcia?

Long time Astros fans are very familiar with Garcia. Drafted in the 22^nd round of the 2005 MLB Draft, Garcia was a key part of the St. Louis Cardinals starting rotation in the early 2010’s, finishing third in National League Rookie of the Voting in 2010.

In eight seasons with the Cardinals, Garcia had a record of 63-46 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Averaging just over seven strikeouts per nine innings, he thrives inducing ground balls, with 56.1 percent of all balls in play ending up on the ground.

After signing a four-year, $27.5 million dollar contract with club options in the 2016 and 2017 season prior to the 2012 season, the Cardinals traded Garcia to the Braves on December 1^st for RHP Chris Ellis, RHP John Gant and 2B Luke Dykstra. With a fastball that averages in the low-nineties, Garcia has been descent in his first five starts in Atlanta. In 29.1 innings pitched he has a 3.99 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP and 17 strikeouts.

After giving up seven earned runs including three home runs in first two outings of the year, Garcia has been pitching very well as of late.

In his last three starts, he has been consistent, pitching at least six innings, giving up only two earned runs on no more than five hits. However, walks have been sort of an issue, walking nine and only striking out 13 in his last 18.1 innings of work.

With the switch to the American League, the Astros have not faced Garcia since 2015. In his last two starts against Houston, he has given up eight earned runs on 15 hits, including four home runs, and striking out only four in 11.1 innings pitched.

Who should Garcia watch out for?

Jose Altuve

The Astros three-hole hitter seems to have a different offensive approach against left-handed pitchers. In 24 at-bats, Altuve is hitting .250 with a 1.004 OPS, .188 points higher than he is against right-handed pitchers. That is because of the increased amount of power in his bat. Of his six hits, three of them are home runs, driving in five RBIs while scoring himself three times. Also, five of his 12 walks this season is against southpaw pitchers.

Also, Altuve has found success against Garcia in the past. The second baseman has nine hits against the former Cardinal in 19 at bats with three runs scored and two RBIs. However, only one of his nine hits has been for extra bases.

Marwin Gonzalez

The Astros’ utility man is having a career month after hitting four home runs in the first five games in May. He has been doing well against left-handed pitchers also. In 19 at-bats, Gonzalez is hitting .263 with a 1.128 OPS. Three of his five hits against southpaws have been home runs, driving in six RBIs while scoring himself four times.

Gonzalez seems to be in a good position to continue this month’s success against Garcia. In four at-bats against him in 2016, he had three hits including a double and a home run, driving in two RBIs and scoring once himself.

Next: Astros offense has continued to live up to the hype

If the Astros want success against Garcia, the team will have to do what it has been doing against left-handed pitchers: be patient, not being afraid to walk, and hitting the long ball.

***Statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, MLB.com and ESPN.com***

Home / Astros News