We’ve talked about it several times before and we’ll likely talk about it again, other people have talked about it before and will likely talk about it again. That being said, the Houston Astros have some significant work to do to fill out their starting rotation.
The Astros are bringing Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole back into their rotation for the 2019 season. They losing Lance McCullers Jr. due to Tommy John surgery and potentially both Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton. That adds up to be a 500 inning deficit in the 2019 rotation.
On top of that, the Astros are set to lose both Verlander and Cole after the 2019 season unless they are extended this offseason or re-signed next offseason.