HOUSTON -- The Astros’ path into the AL Division Series has left their pitching plan for Tuesday’s Game 1 against the White Sox very much in motion.
Manager Joe Espada said Monday that Houston will open the series with a bullpen game, a setup shaped by the club not clinching the American League West until the final day of the regular season. Hunter Brown is expected to start Game 2 on Wednesday, and Hayden Wesneski is lined up for a possible Game 3 on Thursday.
“We’re working through that right now,” Espada said.
Houston leaned on six pitchers to get through nine innings in Sunday’s 9-0 win over the A’s in West Sacramento, a must-win game that sent the Astros back to the postseason. That usage leaves Peter Lambert out of the mix for bulk work Tuesday after he threw 41 pitches over two innings on two days of rest. Rookie Ethan Pecko also won’t be available for that kind of assignment after tossing 34 pitches in three scoreless innings Sunday.
The good news for Houston is that the bullpen should have plenty of arms available. Miguel Ullola threw 18 pitches Sunday, AJ Blubaugh hasn’t pitched since Friday, Bryan Abreu hasn’t pitched since Thursday and closer Josh Hader hasn’t pitched since Wednesday. All of them could be called on to help cover innings in Game 1.
The Astros may also have another left-handed option back in the fold. Steven Okert, who missed the final couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, was with the team in West Sacramento and had been throwing bullpens. Houston will set its ALWCS roster Tuesday morning.
“He is throwing off the mound again [Monday], so don’t want to jump to any conclusions,” Espada said. “We’re working through our roster. We’re working through a bunch of things now.”
There is also the possibility Houston takes a different route entirely and starts rookie Tatsuya Imai in Game 1. Imai struggled as a starter, posting a 5.83 ERA in 58 2/3 innings, but was shifted to long relief over the final two months and mostly worked in mop-up spots.
The Astros also kept him below 80 innings to avoid triggering a $2 million contract incentive. He finished with 76 2/3 innings and closed the regular season with six scoreless innings across his final four appearances.
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