Garcia and Urquidy out of Houston’s rotation? Here the reasons

HOUSTON – There is perhaps no better evidence of the Astros’ pitching depth than the case of Luis Garcia. The Venezuelan has had the best season of his career, going 15-8 with a 3.72 ERA, including a 6-0 stint and a 2.77 ERA in his last seven starts.

In his final start of the regular season, Garcia held Tampa Bay to one run and six hits. However, it seems difficult to guarantee him a spot in the club’s rotation for the best-of-five American League Division Series, which will be led by two Cy Young Award candidates, Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez.

“[García] he had a great year,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “For a young boy, [tener] 15-8 is a great pitch.”

It is hard to believe that García and the Mexican Jose Urquidy they could be left out of the postseason rotation, despite making 28 starts apiece on the year. The Astros went 36-20 in games started on the mound by Garcia (19-9) and Urquidy (17-11).

The Astros open the ALDS on Oct. 11 in Houston and will have a bye before Game 2. If the series requires the maximum five games, the last three will be played on consecutive days between Oct. 15-17. Because of the bye day between the first two games, Houston wouldn’t need a fourth starter if a fifth game isn’t necessary.

“We have to see who will be on the team for the first round,” Baker said. “Then we’ll see where to put them.”

This is what the Astros rotation could look like for the start of the postseason:

Justin Verlander: The veteran right-hander appears ready to put the finishing touches on a season worthy of what would be his third Cy Young Award on Tuesday against the Phillies. The pitcher begins the day as the leader of the American League in wins (17), ERA (1.80), WHIP (0.85) and OPS against (.508).

Framer Valdez: The left-hander is among the favorites to win the Cy Young after a season in which he set a major league record with 25 consecutive quality starts. He is among the AL leaders in wins, ERA and innings pitched. He is expected to be second in the rotation behind Verlander.

Lance McCullers Jr.: His Monday start against the Phillies was just his eighth of the year, following a forearm injury in last year’s ALDS. He allowed just one run in 6.0 stretches of work. He has plenty of postseason experience, having pitched in 16 games (nine starts), including Game 7 of the 2017 World Series and Game 7 of the ALCS against the Rays in 2020.

Christian Xavier: The Dominican will start the postseason with 25.1 scoreless innings in a row, but what he has done throughout the year is what seems to guarantee him a spot in the rotation.

Louis Garcia: Read above.

Jose Urquidy: The Mexican has already won three World Series games in his career, but that may not be enough to secure him an ALDS start, given Houston’s depth. Urquidy is coming off the best season of his career, going 13-8 with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in a career-high 162.1 innings through 28 starts.