At least for now, it isn’t a ridiculous notion to think Hunter Brown is the Astros’ x-factor for the remainder of the season. Considering how Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis García had recently experienced setbacks in their respective recoveries, Brown’s emergence as an above-average starter holds tremendous importance to this club’s overall depth, or lack thereof in the rotation. Houston will need him to continue to pitch well if they wish to have any chance at October baseball.
With the Rangers coming into town for a three-game series, I was curious to see how Brown would look after a rough start in Minnesota — seven earned runs in six innings — six days ago.