Astros pitching by the numbers: How has it gotten this bad?

HOUSTON — Pitching has propelled the Houston Astros through their golden era. From 2018 to 2025, no American League staff posted a lower ERA than Houston’s 3.61 mark. No team in the sport struck out more batters per nine innings than the Astros, who totaled 9.55 during those eight seasons.Sustaining that success for a ninth season has been difficult. Injuries have rendered the 2026 staff unrecognizable, robbing it of a Cy Young Award finalist, a celebrated closer and two starting pitchers being paid $30.8 million.Advertisement