Astros: Brad Peacock is getting his groove back as a starter

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 20: Brad Peacock #41 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on May 20, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 20: Brad Peacock #41 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on May 20, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Astros’ pitcher Brad Peacock has been shutting down his opponents in his last few outings and seems to be returning to form as a starter.

As early as May 2, Peacock‘s ERA was as high as 5.28. Ever since then, he’s been very efficient from the mound and has dropped that ERA down to 3.59. Last night’s two-hit performance is an example of how Peacock has settled back into his spot in the Astros‘ starting rotation.

He pitched five innings and got his third straight win with last night’s 3-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox. As stated earlier, but it bears repeating, Peacock only allowed two hits while striking out nine batters. He was keeping in the strike zone, throwing 59 strikes in 91 pitches and didn’t give up one walk, although he did hit two batters.

“They were on my stuff and did a great job of fouling stuff off and getting me out of the game,” Peacock said. “I felt I was pounding the zone tonight. It felt good.” via David Barron of the Houston Chronicle

In the last three games, Peacock has pitched 17 innings and has surrendered just one run for a 0.53 ERA. Peacock has fanned 24 batters against only 5 walks in that time period for a SO/W ratio of 4.8 and averaging 12.7 Ks per nine innings pitched. His SO/9IP before these games was 7.7.

Peacock has held his opponents to a slash line of .136/.235/.186 and has a WHIP of 0.765 over the last two weeks. In contrast, his opponents were hitting .239/.291/.436 in the seven games prior.

He seems to have found his success by pitching almost exclusively out of the windup, when before he was pitching out of the stretch. He made the change in the game against Kansas City on May 8, and as we’ve seen, the results have been positive. Peacock says he can get more into a rhythm and throw for strikes more often with the change.

Next. Astros: George Springer, Jose Altuve, and Aledmys Diaz injury updates. dark

I came down hard on him earlier in the season, suggesting he may be better off in the bullpen. But these last few games he has proven differently. I’ll be the first to admit when I’m wrong and I hope that he continues his recent successes, so I can write articles like this one giving him praise.