The Houston Astros have found a way to stay atop the American League West despite dealing with numerous injuries.
At 59-42, the Astros hold a five-game lead over the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL West and have won three games in a row.
In order to keep winning, the Astros should look to acquire a quality starting pitcher at the trade deadline.
Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez have been excellent, but starting pitching is one of Houston’s top needs.
Houston was named as one of the best fits for struggling former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara.
“It makes sense for the Astros, who have been wrecked by injuries this year, namely to starters Cristian Javier and recently Lance McCullers Jr.,” wrote FanSided’s Quinn Everts. “So, the Astros have a need for starting pitching, and with how injured their lineup is, why not add a guy who can potentially be a front-line starter in the future?”
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Alcantara, 29, was supposed to be one of the top trade chips this season. And while he still has suitors, he has been horrible this season outside of a few starts.
Alcantara has the highest ERA out of any qualified starter, even after pitching seven shutout innings against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.
He is 5-9 with a 6.66 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 20 starts this season.
“Whether the Astros have anything the (suddenly hot) Marlins would be interested in is unclear, as is what Alcantara's trade value actually is right now,” Everts wrote.
Even if the Astros don’t trade for Alcantara, expect the Astros to land a starting pitcher in the coming days.
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