It’s looking more and more like if the Astros are going to win this year, it’s going to have to be because of outstanding pitching.
Like tonight.
Hunter Brown shut out a capable Cardinals team for six innings, allowing only four hits, two walks, with four strikeouts.
After that, perhaps this year’s version of Lidge/Dotel/Wagner, that is, Bryan King, Bryan Abreu, and Josh Hader, preserved the shutout, the first time the Cardinals have been shut out all year.
Despite a few recent games where the bats arose from slumber, the Astros' offense is ranked 20th in MLB in runs and 23rd in wRC+.