Houston Astros Starter Ready for Bounce Back Season
The Houston Astros found success last season despite one of their top pitchers having the worst season of his young career.
Factor in other injuries the Astros dealt with, including those to starting pitchers Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr., and 2024 could be a bounce-back season for the organization and one returning pitcher in particular.
Cristian Javier pitched all of 2023 but struggled, posting an 4.56 ERA with a 4.58 FIP. He still managed a 10-5 record.
In 2022, Javier posted a 2.54 ERA in 148.2 innings pitched, striking out 194 hitters and finishing 11-9.
So what hurt Javier last season? He allowed a career-high 25 home runs and 62 walks. He did throw a career-high 162 innings, but he's been more efficient in those areas in previous seasons.
Walks and extra-base hits are a recipe for disaster and that's how things went for Javier.
Last season actually started well for Javier. He posting a 2.90 ERA in his first 14 starts. Then his ERA surged as the home run and walk rates went up.
This season is about getting back to the pitcher he was in 2022, which meant spending time reflecting on what didn't work a year ago and, just as importantly, focusing on what did work two years ago, per MLB.com.
“I learned from it and moved forward and keep trying to improve,” said Javier.
Astros pitching coach Bill Murphy says that Javier looks amazing and is primed to have the biggest season of his career.
Even as Javier struggled, the Houston Astros were able to reach the AL Championship Series. A sharp Javier could be a game-changer as the Astros try to get back to the World Series.
