3 Astros players to blame for their slow start in 2023
By Tim Boyle
2) Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia has been the rotation’s weak link
Through two starts, Astros starter Luis Garcia is 0-1 with a 7.00 ERA. He lasted just five innings in his debut loss against the Chicago White Sox. In his most recent outing against the Minnesota Twins, Garcia exited after four innings with just as many earned runs allowed. While he didn’t factor into the decision, he didn’t make it easy for the Astros who would go on to lose.
This isn’t the promising start Houston was hoping to get from Garcia. They’re at an “all hands on deck” point with their rotation. They don’t have the same veteran presence they’ve had in the past with Justin Verlander. The team needs Garcia to be better. Unfortunately, his loss in Game 1 of last year’s World Series seems to have carried over into the spring and regular season of 2023.
At this early stage of the season, Garcia looks like the most replaceable starting pitcher. Hunter Brown has been far more effective but the internal battle will rage on.
Something the Astros haven’t had to suffer through much in recent years is having a colossal mistake in their rotation. Will Garcia be the one fans dread to see step on the mound every fifth day? Houston has lost both of his starts. Not all of it falls on him but it’s hard to argue against him being a reason for them losing.