A look at Astros potential Opening Day pitching staff

The Astros’ 2018 pitching staff is, more or less, set in stone.

While the off-season is far from over, the calendar has now rolled over to 2018. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the Astros’ opening day pitching staff could look like. This, of course, is subject to change with any further roster additions or injuries.

For much of 2017, the Astros carried 13 pitchers on the 25-man roster, thanks in part to Marwin Gonzalez’s versatility. This is assuming the Astros will again carry 13 pitchers, giving them one additional arm in the bullpen.

Rotation locks: Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, Charlie Morton

The Astros are flirting with adding another top starter, but the staff is strong as currently constructed. Verlander and Keuchel will be a tremendous 1-2 punch, while a healthy McCullers could join them to make a Big Three. Some fans argue McCullers belongs in the bullpen, but he’ll get at least one more season to prove he can stick as a starter. Morton, if healthy, will be a steady presence as the No. 4 starter.

Bullpen locks: Ken Giles, Chris Devenski, Will Harris, Joe Smith, Hector Rondon

Despite his rough October, Giles will remain the closer. Devenski struggled down the stretch last year, and Harris battled injury troubles. New additions Smith and Rondon, however, will give A.J. Hinch plenty of options in setting up Giles, and that could help keep guys fresh. Hinch will likely use his setup men depending on matchups, rather than designating respective roles for each of them. This should be a stronger group than last seasons.

Roster locks: Brad Peacock, Collin McHugh

These two are listed separately merely because it’s not clear what their respective roles will be. Both will undoubtedly be on the roster, but one will be the fifth starter and the other a long reliever. With Peacock’s success in both roles last year, it seems more likely that he will begin the season in the bullpen. A healthy McHugh as the fifth starter would be a great asset to the Astros’ staff.

Last righty in the pen: Joe Musgrove, James Hoyt, Michael Feliz

It’s likely that only one of these three will make the roster, and that mostly depends on Musgrove’s role. If the team wants to keep him in the bullpen, where he excelled down the stretch, he likely gets this spot. If the Astros are intent on making him a starter, he will probably begin the season with Triple-A Fresno. That would leave Hoyt and Feliz the top two options, setting up a battle in Spring Training.

Lefty specialist role: Tony Sipp, Anthony Gose

This will truly be a competition to watch in the spring. As a Rule 5 pick, Gose must be on the active roster if the Astros are to keep him. The team took a chance on the converted outfielder, so he’ll have to prove he’s worthy of that final spot.

Sipp is coming off two awful seasons, but he’s still guaranteed $6 million, so he’ll be given a long look. If he struggles in the spring, it’s possible the Astros will cut him loose and keep Gose on the roster.

Next: Astros: Finding a role for Colin Moran in 2018

There’s an outside shot that both Sipp and Gose make the team, but that’s contingent on a number of factors. First, they must both impress in Spring Training. Second, Musgrove will likely need to be in the Triple-A rotation, and other options like Hoyt and Feliz will need to look shaky. So this could very well be a two-man battle for one bullpen spot.

***Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference***