Since returning from the IL in June, Lance McCullers Jr. hasn’t pitched particularly well. Even in his start against the Dodgers, it took a few innings before he settled into a groove. Ironically, he walked a total of 12 hitters (four in each game) in his last three starts before this one against the Rangers on Friday evening. He only walked two in this game, for what that’s worth.
For positive developments, that was about it for McCullers. Not only did he struggle with efficiency — 83 pitches in only three innings — the right-hander didn’t have his best stuff. The Rangers weren’t fooled by what McCullers was throwing, whiffing only six times on 30 swings. This start was only a continuation of a concerning trend.
I don’t think I am speaking (or writing, in this case) out of turn when I state that McCullers is dealing with diminished stuff. Watch the games, monitor his velocity and his control. But the Astros will continue to give him time to work things out on the mound. The question is whether a few more rough starts would force a change. Allowing five earned runs in three innings certainly doesn’t help the cause.
The pitching staff following McCullers’ departure held up fine. Ryan Gusto allowed two runs in 4 1⁄3 innings of relief. Steven Okert and Kaleb Ort combined for a 1 2⁄3 scoreless innings. Unfortunately, the damage was done and the lineup fell short in various spots. Top prospect, Brice Matthews, struggled in his Major League debut, striking out three times in four plate appearances. The big offensive moment came when Victor Caratini hit his two-run home run in the fourth inning, but that wasn’t enough. Jack Leiter had the occasional hiccup, yet he and Texas’ bullpen did enough to secure the win.
Now on a four-game losing streak for the first time this season, the Astros will look to win Game 2 in this series against the Rangers. Framber Valdez gets the starting nod opposite Jacob deGrom. If you’re a fan of two great pitchers in the same game, then Saturday’s game ought to be a lot of fun.