The Houston Astros revealed their roster for the upcoming AL Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, and everyone immediately noticed something different. Astros ace Lance McCullers Jr. wasn’t on the list, meaning that he’ll be out for the series.
The reason for McCullers’ absence is a forearm tightness that caused the right-hander to leave Game 4 of ALDS against the Chicago White Sox after just four innings. It is unclear whether McCullers might return to the mound if Houston makes the World Series.
The news is a tough blow for the Astros, considering that McCullers had a strong regular season in which he went 13-5 in 28 starts while posting 3.16 ERA and having 185 strikeouts. His good performances carried over to the postseason, and he was particularly stellar in Game 1 against Chicago when he pitched scoreless ball into the seventh inning.
Houston can now only hope that they can get something out of Jake Odorizzi, who was added to the ALCS roster instead of McCullers. Odorizzi sat out the ALDS after struggling in the regular season. The All-Star right-hander, who joined the Astros in the offseason on a two-year, $23.5 million contract, had a 6-7 record with 4.21 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 24 games in 2021.
