Fansided

Who is your MLB team’s unsung hero so far this season

By Brad Weiss

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Trevor Story
DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Trevor Story /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 04: Houston Astros pitcher Collin McHugh (31) throws a pitch during a MLB game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 4, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 04: Houston Astros pitcher Collin McHugh (31) throws a pitch during a MLB game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 4, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Houston Astros: Collin McHugh

The Houston Astros were supposed to be good last season, as many liked them to go deep in the playoffs. When all was said and done, the Astros actually exceeded expectations, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series to capture their first ever championship.

The World Series win was made even more special due to the fact that the City of Houston was ravaged by a devastating flood. The city was able to rally around their team, and guys like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Justin Verlander fed off the energy in the building every night.

Verlander was a beast after coming over from Detroit in a trade, and he led a rotation with a bunch of solid starting pitchers. Guys like Dallas Keuchel, Charlie Morton, and Brad Peacock all helped the team to the title, but it was Collin McHugh who really earned the respect, and trust of the coaching staff.

In 2018, McHugh made the move to  the bullpen, and he has been one of the best relievers in all of baseball for the first-place Astros. In his 40 appearances in relief, McHugh has an earned run average under 1.00, and has finished off 17 games for Houston.

It is not often that a pitcher can make such a transition, but McHugh has taken on his new role and dominated. He has been the unsung hero of this pitching staff, and if he pitches like this in the postseason, the Astros could be head to back-to-back titles.

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