​Astros 5.12 ERA rotation problem could be a postseason nightmare originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Houston Astros have come roaring back into the postseason conversation this year, as Yordan Alvarez has sparked this team into contention amid his own contention for the MLB Triple Crown.But even if the Astros make it to the postseason, they’re going to have a hard time winning any series for a very simple reason: starting pitching.Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller highlighted the Astros’ 5.12 ERA from starting pitching this season as the key statistic for the Astros. It’s a huge problem for Houston, and it could become a nightmare even if they make it to the postseason.Astros 5.12 rotation ERA could be postseason nightmare”Houston Astros (62-63): 16 starting pitchers have combined for a 5.12 ERA,” Miller highlighted.This 5.12 ERA from the rotation includes Hunter Brown and his 3.67 ERA, and Pete Lambert’s impressive 3.11 ERA. They have been solid pitchers for Houston.Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the rest of the team’s starters, both those that are still in Houston and those that have lost their rotation spots due to a move to the bullpen, a trade, a demotion, or a release.Spencer Arrighetti, before being traded, had a 4.60 ERA this season. Michael Burrows has been a massive disappointment after being acquired in a trade this offseason, posting a 5.99 ERA in 18 appearances.MORE: Astros expected to fire Joe Espada if they miss the postseasonTatsuya Imai has a 5.29 ERA, Kai-Wei Teng has a 4.35 ERA, Lance McCullers has a 6.86 ERA, Cristian Javier has a 6.68 ERA, Ronel Blanco has a 7.71 ERA, and Hayden Wesneski has a 5.40 ERA.Outside of Brown and Lambert, the Astros do not have a good starting rotation. As Miller put it, “Good luck figuring out who starts Game 3 of the postseason…”The Astros might make the postseason, and Alvarez might win the AL MVP while taking home the Triple Crown. But in the postseason itself, it’s going to be a nightmare if the Astros cannot find even a decent third starting pitcher.As of right now, the Astros’ 5.12 ERA from their overall rotation is going to be a massive issue for Houston come October, if they can hold onto their 2.0-game AL West lead.More MLB news:Brewers World Series odds look a bit bleak with MLB HR historyDodgers update on Shohei Ohtani pitching again has major MVP implicationsMariners’ Cal Raleigh on track to hit fewest HR after 60+ homer season in MLB historyDodgers and Mets predicted to be only teams active in Tarik Skubal’s free agent marketDiamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll joins only Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio in wild MLB history