This is the analytic segment of Astros Trending. This week we explore the recent decline in Dallas Keuchel. Tomorrow we do the week in review.

Dallas Keuchel: Ups and Downs

In some ways, Dallas Keuchel is baseball’s equivalent to boxing’s Cinderella Man, James Braddock. Braddock, who was a small heavyweight and not a powerful knockout puncher, relied on defense, smarts, tenacity and great counter-punching. Keuchel is likewise the consumate overachiever, his pitches punch over their weight, a fastball that barely touches 90 mph, secondary pitches that don’t have extraordinary movement. Keuchel has always relied on smarts, that is, ingenious sequencing, and great control.