While the Houston Astros are streaking toward the postseason with a stellar 62-33 record, that doesn’t mean that they are devoid of some cracks along the foundation.
Astros ace Dallas Keuchel is on the 10-day disabled list due to a nerve issue in his neck, calling into question a starting rotation that is in use of some depth. Granted, just by looking at the numbers, things don’t seem too bad as Lance McCullers is 7-2 (though he is developing into a top-tier pitcher in the American League) and Charlie Morton is 7-4. But they are the benefactors of a potent Houston offense that is one of the best and brightest in the league.
Pitching wins championships and going into the dogfight that is the playoffs with middle-of-the-road arms behind Keuchel is a risky move to make. It looks like Houston is attempting to remedy that, though.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported on Thursday morning that talks between the Astros and Oakland Athletics are “heating up,” regarding ace pitcher Sonny Gray. The 27-year-old, who has two years of arbitration before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2020, is 6-4 with a 3.66 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 91 innings.
Judging by the activity of Athletics scouts lately, the Astros would likely have to give up some solid prospects in order to acquire Gray. But a top three of him, Keuchel and McCullers would be one of the best in the American League and bring an already dangerous team to a completely new level with a little more than two months remaining in the regular season.
