Astros top performers in the month of May

May 31, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros outfielder Marwin Gonzalez (9) and outfielder Jake Marisnick (6) and outfielder Norichika Aoki (3) celebrate after the game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros outfielder Marwin Gonzalez (9) and outfielder Jake Marisnick (6) and outfielder Norichika Aoki (3) celebrate after the game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 23, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher McCullers Jr. (43) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Performer #1: Lance McCullers

When you think of the Astros rotation, your mind automatically shifts to Dallas Keuchel. And I don’t blame you. After all, he is likely a frontrunner for the AL Cy Young this season.

But there is another Astros starter that may see his name enter the conversation soon: Lance McCullers, Houston’s own version of the “Dark Knight.”

In six May starts, McCullers posted an incredible 0.99 ERA which also included a 22-inning scoreless streak. This streak happened to be the longest by an Astros starter since Roy Oswalt.

McCullers’ success was one of the main reasons the Astros had a record-setting franchise May with 21 wins. After all, the Astros went 5-1 in games started by the former 2012 draft pick. In particular, it appears that his 65.2% GB% last month played a part in this success. His GB% career average is 52.8%, so, yeah, I think may have helped his cause.

Like the Dark Knight was to the city of Gotham in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, McCullers isn’t the starter that the Houston needs. Instead, he is the starter that the city deserves.