Lucas Harrell Continues Houston Astros’ Trend of Losing Late


Jim Cowsert – USA TODAY Sports

It’s always a good idea to start with something positive — Robbie Grossman continues to hit the ball effectively since his most recent call-up.

Moving on, the Houston Astros exited Saturday night’s game against the Minnesota Twins with the same bitter taste that had been left the previous two days. The bullpen was yet again called upon to forfeit another lead and secure another notch in the loss column for the now hapless Astros.

The Astros were given another quality start, this time handed over by the likes of Erik Bedard. But again, without surprise, the quality start was quickly floundered in the very next inning.

On the other side of the diamond, Twins starter Kyle Gibson was roughed up early, going only 3.0 innings before turning it over to a bullpen that enviably threw 6.0 innings of scoreless baseball.

Lucas Harrell was one of the only bright spots of the Astros 2012, 100-loss season — going 11-11 with a 3.76 ERA. This year could not be more different. After being grandfathered into the starting rotation due to his previous year’s success, Harrell has since lost his starter job, been moved to the bullpen and secured the second most losses in all of the league with 12.

In his past 10 outings, Harrel has gone 0-5 with a 7.34 ERA.

His stats are unacceptable and at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, he has to be replaced — whether that be temporary or permanent. His former year’s successes no longer guarantee him a spot on the big league roster.

Every day a new face steps in to let down Astros fans everywhere. It’s a sad situation. These players who are rooted for do not possess the skill set or confidence necessary to produce at the big league level.

It’s a time where the only condolence Astros fans have is to follow their minor league farm teams.


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