Six-Man Pitching Rotation Gives Baker, Houston Astros Flexibility
The recent returns of Justin Verlander and Jose Urquidy have provided length and flexibility to Dusty Baker's pitching staff.
The Astros acquired Verlander via trade from the New York Mets before the trade deadline. Urquidy returned from the IL August 6.
Over the past week, the Houston Astros used a six-man rotation, throwing Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, Justin Verlander, JP France and Jose Urquidy in order, to go 4-2 against the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels.
This week, the club will skip Hunter Brown's spot in the rotation, and the rookie will be available to pitch out of the Astros' bullpen. If he is not used in relief this week, he will start Friday night's series opener against the Seattle Mariners, Brown told reporters Sunday.
A week ago, rookie phenom JP France had his spot in the rotation skipped, as the 28 year-old made his first career relief appearance.
Valdez will start Monday's game against the Marlins, with Javier pitching Tuesday and Verlander taking the mound Wednesday.
Baker has an embarrassment of riches, as it relates to starting pitching. It appears that he will continue to use all six pitchers in the starting rotation, for the time being. A week ago, it was France that received a breather. This week, it will be Brown. Next week, Baker could use another starter in relief.
If the Astros reach the postseason this fall, the club will most likely be using a four-man rotation in the playoffs. If Houston's pitchers remain healthy, it would appear most likely that Verlander, Valdez and Javier would each make a start for their club in October. This would leave one spot open for either France, Urquidy or Brown. Neither Brown or France have started a postseason game before, and Urquidy has struggled through his seven starts this season, logging a 6.10 ERA over 31 innings pitched.
Over the next month and a half, Baker will have a chance to evaluate all three pitchers, and provide opportunities to each of them to pitch out of the bullpen. In any case, the Astros will be adding two arms to their bullpen from the rotation, at the dawn of October.
Baker also has the flexibility to give his starters extra rest. When the Astros use a six-man rotation, each starter receives an extra day of rest and recovery before their next start. If Baker wants to use a starter in long relief, he has option to do so.
Earlier this summer, the Astros mixed in a six-man rotation featuring Brown, France, Valdez, Javier, Brandon Bielak and Ronel Blanco.
The club also used a six-man rotation last season, once Lance McCullers Jr. returned from injury.
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