The Launch Angle

For the Astros to win the AL West, they’ll need Hunter Brown to pitch like, well, Hunter Brown. And, for most of the season, that hasn’t been the case. The AL Cy Young finalist from last season has had a largely forgettable August, battling lapses of control and failing to throw at least six innings in each of his last three starts entering Friday. For a starting rotation that has seen better days and a bullpen game scheduled for Saturday, it felt imperative for Brown to throw the ball well against the Mets.

I think it is fair to say that he did.

A ten-strikeout start for Brown across 6.2 innings was a breath of fresh air. For a pitching staff in sore need of a starter throwing nearly seven innings, it came at a good time. It is worth pointing out that Brown once again favored his sinker, throwing it 30% of the time. That rate by itself isn’t particularly noteworthy, but the right-hander has leaned more on his other pitches while dialing back his four-seam usage.

Brown having his best in nearly a month occurred at a good time considering how the lineup was relatively quiet. It wasn’t like the Astros did generate any traffic on the basepaths, piling up six walks along with four hits, but the scoring opportunities weren’t abundant. Thankfully, Daulton Varsho and Yainer Díaz would drive in a combined three runs in the sixth inning that was ultimately the difference in this game. Varsho’s bases loaded RBI single scored two and put Houston into a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. Bryan Abreu would relieve Brown in the seventh to pick up the last out of the inning before throwing a scoreless eighth. Josh Hader picked up the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

Both the Rangers and Mariners would lose on Friday, with the Astros gaining a game on both rivals. Texas now trails Houston by two games for the AL West lead. Any separation at this point of the season is a good thing, especially with a bullpen game and Bennett Sousa opening on Saturday.

Feature photo from Astros on X