DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: AL West—Problems without solutions?

Houston Astros

Entering Monday, HOU had MLB's worst pitching, as the starters had recorded an eye-popping 6.44 ERA. Erik Bedard (LHP, HOU) , Phillip Humber (RHP, HOU) and Brad Peacock (RHP, HOU) are the primary offenders, all with ERAs at 7.99 or above. Bedard has been shaky at best, as a 4.9 Ctl, 50% FB% and 3.1 hr/9 can attest. But a 24% hr/f and 37% h% also suggest that bad luck is in play, and the 11.7 Dom and 4.29 xERA say there may be something salvageable here, even if not in the rotation. As long as he can stay healthy, Bedard's veteran experience, contract and performance relative to HOU's other starters indicate that he has more rope. But enough for a rebound? Hardly.

Humber's 7.99/5.03 ERA/xERA combo and Peacock's 8.44/5.59...

Almost!

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