The Astros’ season went sideways fast, and one of the biggest reasons was the state of the rotation beyond Hunter Brown and Josh Hader. Houston did get a pleasant surprise from right-hander Peter Lambert, but the other starter tied to last offseason’s three-team deal with the Rays and Pirates never delivered and never got another shot in the majors after a midyear demotion.
That pitcher was Mike Burrows, the arm Houston landed by parting with two high-profile prospects, Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter described the sequence this way: "The Astros gave up two high-profile prospects in Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito to acquire [Mike] Burrows in a three-team deal with the Pirates and Rays," Reuter wrote. "He was demoted to Triple-A in early July after a brutal outing against the Nationals (4.1 IP, 9 H, 10 R, 7 ER) and did not return to the MLB roster."
Burrows’ numbers tell the rest of the story. In 18 appearances, including 17 starts, he finished with a 5.99 ERA, a 1.55 WHIP and 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Pirates didn’t reach the postseason either, but they still came away with a combined 8.7 bWAR from Brandon Lowe, Jake Magnum and Mason Montgomery in the deal. Burrows showed flashes in Pittsburgh, but the source of the trade’s frustration for Houston is clear: it was a brutal outcome, and one that left the Astros with little to show for the cost. Still, there’s at least the possibility that Burrows could silence some of the criticism if he puts together a strong bounceback season.
In Other News...
Rays Just Got The ALDS Jolt Yankees Fans Feared Most
Drew Rasmussen gave Tampa Bay exactly the kind of October start that can change a series in a hurry. In Game 1 of the American League Division Series, he worked a complete-game shutout against the Yankees, carrying a no-hit bid into the eighth inning and striking out 10 while walking two in a 1-0 Rays win.
Rasmussen retired 15 hitters in a row before a double finally broke up the no-hit attempt, and by then the damage was already done. The Rays now hold a 1-0 lead in the series, with one outing serving as an early reminder that New York may have to solve Tampa Bays pitching the hard way. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Just Added Another Problem For The Yankees In This Series
Drew Rasmussen gave the Rays exactly the kind of October start that changes a series, carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Austin Wells finally broke it up in Game 1 of the ALDS. Tampa Bay still walked away with a 1-0 win over the Yankees, and the result only sharpened the pressure on a New York lineup that spent most of the night chasing a pitcher who never seemed to lose command.
Giancarlo Stantons return added another layer to the Yankees situation, with the slugger coming off the bench in the ninth inning for his first game action before striking out against Bryan Baker. Aaron Boone pointed to Stantons preparation afterward and left open the possibility of more appearances in the series, which gives New York one more variable to manage as it tries to answer a Rays staff that already has the upper hand. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Fans Have One Big Concern After That Game 1 Loss
Drew Rasmussen made a lot of Yankees fans uneasy in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, and for good reason. The Rays right-hander carved through New York for eight scoreless innings, allowed only one hit and struck out 10, turning the opener into a tense, low-scoring grind at Yankee Stadium.
Austin Wells finally broke up the no-hit bid with a double in the eighth, but the inning ended with him thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple, and Tampa Bay kept its 1-0 lead intact. Jonathan Arandas solo homer was the only run the Rays needed, leaving New York staring at an early series deficit and wondering what it has to do differently before the next game. [Read more 🡒]