The hits keep coming for the Astros

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images via: Crawford Boxes

The Astros just a week ago were seemingly cruising to the World Series, but things can change quickly in a week. First, Dallas Keuchel re-injured his neck and had to be placed back on the disabled list. Today, the only remaining dominant pitcher on the staff, Lance McCullers, is headed to the DL with back discomfort. Losing your two best pitchers is bad enough, but these injuries also have a significant impact on the bullpen. The Astros have been leaning heavily on their relief pitchers because most of their starters have not been able to get out of the fifth inning. All of a sudden, Mike Fiers is the only guy that might be able to get you to the seventh inning. Luckily, Joe Musgrove is expected to make his first start tonight after returning from a shoulder injury, but he’s struggled most of the year and is hard to count on. Collin McHugh is nowhere near ready to return and I’m starting to wonder if the Astros rotation smashed every mirror in the club house. Finally, Charlie Morton is still sidelined with a lat injury and it’s hard to rely on him any time soon. It’s pretty amazing that an entire starting rotation has almost been wiped out. I can’t remember this many injuries happening all at the same time. Baseball can be cruel, and the Astros are in serious trouble if Keuchel and McCullers miss a significant amount of time.

The Astros are desperate for pitching

Other GMs know the Astros are desperate for pitching and the price of any pitcher the Astros are interested in probably just went up by 40 percent. Trading for a quality arm doesn’t feel like a luxury move for the Astros anymore, and they better do it soon before their lead in the A.L. disappears.