For the first time in a while, I actually feel good about the Astros’ starting rotation going forward. Although the 2020 ace, Framber Valdez, remains on the IL, the emergence of Cristian Javier and Luis García as legitimate starters in this season’s early going is a positive development. By accounting for the injured Jake Odorizzi, who is also on the IL, there are seven different starting pitchers for the Astros. And I have a feeling that they’re going to need at least seven to get through the majority of 2021 unscathed.
The bullpen, however, is a bit of a different story.