Astros Lance McCullers Lands on DL: Fantasy impact
By Bill Pivetz
The Astros are the best team in baseball. Though, they will be without yet another starting pitcher as Lance McCullers was placed on the 10-day DL.
The Houston Astros have surprised many by being the first team to 40 wins and taking a commanding lead in their division. Their offense looks great and the bullpen is closing out games. The starting pitching is their weakest link, not because of performance but because of all the injuries.
The team announced on Monday that their No. 2 starting pitcher Lance McCullers will be placed o the 10-day DL with discomfort in his lower back, reported by Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle.
The Astros are already dealing with a lot of injuries to their rotation. Ace Dallas Keuchel went back on the DL with neck discomfort. Collin McHugh is on the 60-day DL with an elbow injury and likely to return in the second half. Charlie Morton is also on the 10-day DL with a strained lat muscle.
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There is some good news, though, as Joe Musgrove was activated and will start in Monday’s game against the Texas Rangers.
McCullers was off to a career season. After posting a 3.22 ERA in his two previous seasons, he currently owns a 2.58 ERA, 1.057 WHIP and 6-1 record in 13 starts. He also has a 10.4 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9.
McCullers’ 2.89 FIP proves that he isn’t allowing many long balls (six home runs allowed) and not relying on the defense behind him. He is also keeping batted balls on the ground with a 63.0 ground ball, 18.5 line drive and fly ball rates.
McCullers also made a lot of batters swing and miss at pitches both in and out of the strike zone. He has a 31.7 O-Swing, 63.5 Z-Swing, 56.6 first pitch strike and 12.5 swinging strike rates. All of those numbers are either career highs or just decimals away from his best.
He isn’t expected to be out for long, maybe just missing one start. “…though the placement of the team’s top two starters on the disabled list is obviously of some concern even if neither injury is believed to be serious at this time,” Steve Adams of Baseball Reference wrote.
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McCullers is the second-highest own Astros pitcher in ESPN leagues. Regardless of your DL situation, he needs to be rostered. The numbers are consistent and he shows no signs of regressing. He could be the Astros’ best pitcher by year’s end and you need that on your team.