With Cristian Javier and José Urquidy now out for the season following Tommy John surgery, the Astros have no margin for error regarding the starting rotation. While the staff is currently five deep — Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown, and Spencer Arrighetti — it would only take another injury to expose the organization’s lack of starting depth. Yes, Luis García and Lance McCullers Jr. are due back later this season, with the former likely sooner than the latter. But Houston still has to last at least another month to six weeks before García returns.
In the meantime, the available starters must continue to produce, especially with less-than-ideal postseason odds.