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While offense starts season cold, Astros pitching staff picking up the slack

By Cody Poage

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - MARCH 30: Collin McHugh #31 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on March 30, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - MARCH 30: Collin McHugh #31 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on March 30, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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To be fair, the Astros lineup will likely shake off the rust sooner or later. But the pitching staff has been nothing short of impressive through the season’s first five games.

Here are the Astros runs scored totals through the first five games of the season: 5, 2, 1, 1, and 2. A “whopping” 11 runs runs in five games, which breaks down to 2.2 runs per game. If one removes the 5-run showing on Opening Day, the runs per game drops to 1.5. Needless to say, the lineup hasn’t flexed its collective muscles quite yet. While any fan would like to see the offense jolt back to life by, like, yesterday, there really isn’t any reason to be concerned. Sometimes it takes a little while for a club’s lineup to start clicking.

That said, the pitching staff has picked up the slack in each game this season. If the lineup was producing at a decent level, then the Astros could very well be a one-loss team right now. The biggest questions about Houston this season were centered on the pitching staff, specifically on the rotation. It looks like any doubts have been at least temporarily put to bed based on their starter’s performances.

Justin Verlander: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO

Gerrit Cole: 6 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO

Collin McHugh: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO

Wade Miley: 6 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO

Brad Peacock: 6 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO

The most impressive part about the rotation thus far has been the lack of walks allowed. Only two walks in 30 2/3 innings compared to 37 strikeouts! The rotation won’t be this airtight all season long, but it chose a nice time to pick up the slack.

Next. Astros Prospect Spotlight: Who is Granden Goetzman?. dark

Oh, by the way, the Astros bullpen is doing a nice job, too. Only the Rays have a lower bullpen ERA (0.43) to start the season than the Astros (0.79). Houston’s bullpen has also limited opposing hitters only one walk while striking out 16 in 11 1/3 innings. By golly, that’s a good way to start a season as a pitching staff. Only time will tell how long this kind of production will last, but I am enjoying it every step of the way.

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