By the numbers, the Astros actually had a decent, albeit unspectacular rotation in 2021. Don’t let this abysmal performance in the postseason dictate otherwise. Only six clubs had a lower ERA from their respective staff than Houston’s 3.78 mark. In fact, only three had more innings pitched from starters. But this is where the good news concludes for the day.
Alas, the postseason has not been kind to the Astros’ starters. A 20.25 ERA or something awfully similar in three ALCS games is something that will lead to an eventual ouster. Framber Valdez, Luis García, and Jose Urquidy have all failed in providing any sort of cushion for the bullpen, which was arguably this roster’s greatest weakness.