Astros Veteran Makes Case For Playoff Rotation

The Houston Astros got a big performance from their veteran starter on Friday when he stepped up on short notice. That made his case to be included in the starting rotation when the MLB Playoffs begin.

The Houston Astros, at one point, were facing the possibility that they would miss the postseason.

They went on the road to face the Seattle Mariners, a team they've struggled with all season, only a half-game up in the Wild Card standings for the final spot.

The Astros rose to the occasion, winning the series, and are now one game away from clinching their postseason spot after beating the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

Things could have gone south however, as scheduled starter J.P. France was a late scratch and didn't pitch due to a family emergency.

This forced manager Dusty Baker to go to a veteran who is back with the team after recovering from a right shoulder injury.

Jose Urquidy delivered.

In his first start since Aug. 23, the right hander threw six scoreless innings, allowing only two hits with two strikeouts.

"That tells you the kind of player he is, the kind of competitor he is. Such short notice and he came out there and gave his all," shortstop Jeremy Pena told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

He also showed some grit that is always needed in playoff baseball.

During the sixth inning, Urquidy gave up a leadoff single, prompting Baker to leave the dugout with the intention of pulling him.

Baker let his veteran stay in the game after a discussion at the mound.

The 28-year-old was able to induce a double play the next batter and keep runs off the board.

"Dusty came out and kind of tested him and see where he was. He saw the conviction in Urquidy, and he wanted to stay in the game and he left him in the game. That’s what it’s all about," Pena said.

This performance could also put the veteran into the mix for a playoff starting role.

It's no secret that the starting staff has had issues giving up runs in bunches. Their offense has been put in spots where they're chasing the game, having to generate tons of offense.

With question marks surrounding the other options of France, Hunter Brown and Christian Javier, it wouldn't be shocking if Baker decided to go with his veteran Urquidy as the third starter in the playoff rotation.