The era of domination in the pitching department seems like a lifetime ago, even though many of these names remain.<\/p>\n
Through 76 games in 2026, the Astros are carrying a 4.87 ERA as a team. That is 28th out of 30 MLB teams – only the Athletics and historically bad Colorado Rockies are worse. Houston\u2019s pitching staff has given up 363 earned runs in 670.1 innings, allowed 49 long balls and posted a WHIP of 1.42.<\/p>\n
Opponents are hitting .243 against them, and when you combine all of these stats with the fact that the complete roster has been decimated by injuries, well, it spells disaster.<\/p>\n
Looking at the stats for the starting pitchers individually:<\/p>\n
Mike Burrows<\/a>, 5.86 ERA, 3-8, 14 starts, 78.1 IPSpencer Arrighetti, 2.57 ERA, 7-2, 11 starts, 63.0 IPPeter Lambert, 3.23 ERA, 6-4, 11 starts, 64.0 IPLance McCullers, 6.86 ERA, 2-3, 8 starts, 39.1 IPKai-Wei Teng<\/a>, 5.77 ERA, 2-5, 8 starts, 34.1 IPTatsuya Imai, 6.43 ERA, 3-3, 9 starts, 35.0 IP<\/p>\n Arrighetti has emerged as the surprise leader of the team, just imagine where they could be without him.<\/p>\n Rotation in Ruins Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Taking a look at the pitching depth chart will tell a person more than viewing the strict ERA stat. Get ready because the list here is long:<\/p>\n Brandon Walter – out until 2027Bennett Sousa – out since early May with left elbow inflammationLance McCuller\u2019s Jr. – sidelined since mid-May with right shoulder inflammation (no clear timeline of return)Ronel Blanco – out since spring with torn UCLHayden Wesneski – rehabbing Tommy John<\/p>\n There is some good news brewing hopefully though with Cristian Javier. He threw 63 pitches over 3 1\/3 innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on June 16 and looks to be close to returning to the roster.<\/p>\n Hunter Brown was reinstated<\/a> from the 60-day IL on June 16 as well. Against the Detroit Tigers he went 5 2\/3 innings where he only allowed one run and struck out seven. It\u2019s nice to have him back.<\/p>\n The return of Brown and Javier will absolutely be welcomed, but is it too late to salvage the season? No one knows yet.<\/p>\n Where\u2019s the Offense?<\/p>\n In the past when the pitching staff struggled, the Astros knew they could rely on their lineup to cover. That has not been the case. <\/p>\n Digging into MLB team stats, Houston ranks 27th in MLB with 99 home runs and carries a .318 OBP which is in the bottom third of the American League.<\/p>\n In their 76 games of the 2026 season, the Astros have only scored 344 runs. That average won\u2019t win very many games.<\/p>\n When you study a bit it is easy to see why the wins aren\u2019t coming. If Houston doesn\u2019t have big innings, the consistency isn\u2019t there to help the team. The power shows up, but the on-base skills are nonexistent.<\/p>\n![\"Houston](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01kvefy5gtz6jd2f8qke.jpg\" "\\"Houston")
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