The Houston bullpen entered this three-game series with the Detroit Tigers leading the American League with a 2.64 ERA, and when the need arose to protect a slim margin, Astros relievers again answered the bell.
Aside from reliever Kaleb Ort, who allowed a two-run home run to Detroit’s Riley Greene while making his season debut, the Astros received another lights-out performance from their bullpen in an 8-5 win on Monday. Steven Okert, Bryan King, Bryan Abreu and closer Josh Hader combined to work three innings of scoreless relief and allowed one hit and one walk with five strikeouts.
The Astros will look for more strong pitching on Tuesday night when they play Game 2 of their series against the visiting Tigers.
Pitching has carried Houston through a rocky start this season. The staff settling into roles has helped matters.
“When the starter can take you deep in the game, either with a lead or down one, it makes it easier for you to hand the ball to the next person,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “Make the decisions once we have the pieces in place, and it’s much better. Everybody is healthy; guys know their roles. Guys are stepping up.
“We need that, and I think these guys are starting to recognize that.”
Rookie right-hander Ryan Gusto (3-1, 2.78 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Astros on Tuesday.
Gusto notched his second consecutive winning decision against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday when he allowed one run on three hits with a career-high-tying six strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in the Astros’ 3-1 victory. Gusto is one of four American League pitchers to have worked at least 22 innings while surrendering four or fewer walks this season.
Gusto will make his first career appearance against the Tigers and will oppose right-hander Reese Olson (3-1, 3.29 ERA).
Olson has produced consecutive scoreless starts and has allowed six hits and three walks with 12 strikeouts over 12 1/3 innings during that span. That includes a 6-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, when he surrendered two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings. The Tigers have won his last four starts.
Olson will make his first career appearance against the Astros.
Partly in deference to the outfield configuration of Daikin Park, the Tigers started Kerry Carpenter in left field and Greene in right on Monday. Greene was making his first outfield start this season in a position other than left or center field.
Carpenter, the starting designated hitter on four occasions, started in left field for the 13th time this season. Detroit likely will use a different positional lineup when the team’s road trip continues Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels and then the Colorado Rockies.
“I like that Carp has gotten the look in left field in general,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “And then this is the smallest left field, I think, other than Fenway (Park in Boston). That made sense, and then Riley is probably going to do the opposite in Anaheim. And then I don’t think there’s a small side to Colorado, so by the time we get to Colorado, it will all work itself out.
“Carp has played a lot of left field in general. But this field, that configuration made the most sense.”
–Field Level Media
