My apologies.
A lot of work that went into the content of this column was lost at publication by an accidental deletion, but that’s OK. This chart and what just happened in the last two games of the Red Sox Series here in Houston was the gist of it.
The Astros need to address the crack in the bullpen. Our starters are not likely to keep us from a title repeat, nor will our offense likely stop us from our second World Series, but …. that bullpen …. that bullpen we now have could cost us everything if the same guys keep showing up and failing to hold even multiple run leads in late innings. We have to take action to shore things up, by whatever ways are both practical and possible. My designated “suspects” for removal, assignment. sale, or trade are highlighted in bold type.
Yes, we know that Giles has 10 saves, but they were low pressure game saves. We think Giles has the kind of talent that will require “PTSD” treatment similar to the remedy that worked for Brad Lidge. It probably needs to happen elsewhere – and not as a member of the Astros.
2018: The Usual Suspects
Astros Relief Staff, June 4, 2018
| # | Suspect | Age | G | W | L | IP | ER | H | HR | BB | SO | ERA |
| 1 | Joe Smith | 34 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 18.0 | 11 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 18 | 5.50 |
| 2 | Ken Giles | 27 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 19.0 | 11 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 5.21 |
| 3 | Will Harris | 33 | 25 | 1 | 3 | 20.1 | 11 | 21 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 4.87 |
| 4 | Tony Sipp | 34 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 12.2 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 2.84 |
| 5 | Brad Peacock | 30 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 22.2 | 7 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 31 | 2.78 |
| 6 | Chris Devenski | 27 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 22.2 | 5 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 29 | 1.99 |
| 7 | Hector Rondon | 30 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 20.2 | 4 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 24 | 1.74 |
| 8 | Collin McHugh | 31 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 27.1 | 4 | 19 | 2 | 6 | 37 | 1.32 |
Houston, Baseball, & Other Musings.
The Pecan Park Eagle 