HOUSTON -- The bullpen remains the Astros' biggest question mark entering the 2018 season, which is more of a credit to Houston's deep lineup and rotation than it is an indictment on the relief corps.
Still, the Astros' bullpen was shaky and inconsistent at times last year. That's why manager A.J. Hinch resorted to relying on starting pitchers in key spots in the postseason, including Justin Verlander in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, Lance McCullers Jr. to close out Game 7 of the AL Championship Series and, most notably, Charlie Morton for the final four innings of Game 7 of the World Series.