Climbing Tal's Hill
Fansided

Examining the Astros overtaxed bullpen situation

By Andrew Gleinser

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 03: Pitcher Roberto Osuna #54 of the Houston Astros throws in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 03, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 03: Pitcher Roberto Osuna #54 of the Houston Astros throws in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 03, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 13: Reliever Ryan Pressly #55 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during the eighth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 13, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Astros won 3-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 13: Reliever Ryan Pressly #55 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during the eighth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 13, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Astros won 3-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

The Back End

Earlier in the season, the back of the Astros’ bullpen was simply unhittable. The combo of Ryan Pressly in the eighth inning and Roberto Osuna in the ninth was as certain as they come. Now, things are not quite as certain as they once were.

To be fair, this was an area where some regression was inevitable, considering how truly dominant they were in April and May. Osuna in particular seems to have struggled lately, but this is still one of the best late-inning tandems in the game.

Osuna’s ERA had dropped all the way to 0.42 in the second half of May, but he allowed five runs in his next three appearances. He righted the ship after that and was actually enjoying a run of six straight scoreless appearances going into the All-Star break.

He has struggled in the last two games, of course, but his season ERA still sits at a very respectable 2.33. Perhaps a couple days of rest would help, but there’s no reason to be concerned about Osuna at this point.

Pressly did not allow a run in his first 19 appearances this season. He struggled a bit in June, but hasn’t been scored upon in five July appearances thus far. His season ERA still sits at a microscopic 1.31, and there’s no better setup man in the game right now.

In short, the Astros are fine here. Osuna’s put together two poor appearances, but that’s far from reason for alarm. When it comes to trades, the team has a much greater need in the rotation than at the back of the bullpen.

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