Houston Astros manager Joe Espada is facing a challenge with his pitching rotation as the team navigates the final 19 games of the regular season. Two of the Astros’ five starters, Cristian Javier and Ethan Pecko, are being limited in their usage, specifically not being allowed to face opposing lineups for a third time through the order. This strategy is intended to preserve the bullpen, which is currently operating with only seven available arms due to Steven Okert’s hamstring injury and limited use of Tatsuya Imai and Ronel Blanco.
Pecko’s outing on Saturday exemplified the issue. Despite pitching five scoreless innings, he was removed after allowing a single to Lars Nootbaar, the leadoff hitter, for the third time in the game. This prompted Espada to bring in a reliever. Javier, similarly, was removed after five innings and 79 pitches on Friday, despite a two-run lead, requiring four of Houston’s top leverage relievers to finish the 3-1 win. “The plan was let’s get him five (innings), 80-85 (pitches),” Espada said. “That was the game plan, and he did a nice job. But the plan is, moving forward, can we see more.”
The Astros have three starters – Hunter Brown, Peter Lambert, and Hayden Wesneski – who are capable of pitching deeper into games, helping to alleviate some of the pressure on the bullpen. However, the team’s recent stretch of 13 consecutive games played has highlighted the strain on pitching resources. The team anticipates a more manageable schedule going forward, with no more than six consecutive games played, which could allow for more flexibility in roster construction and potentially adding another reliever.
The bullpen, despite being a strength, is currently operating at less than full capacity. While expanded rosters provide an extra spot, the absence of Okert and the limited availability of Imai and Blanco mean the Astros are relying on a seven-man bullpen. The team entered Friday’s game with a relatively rested bullpen after receiving quality starts from Wesneski and Brown the previous two days – the first time that had happened in a month.
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