Crawfish Boil: Astros 9th SP, Cam Smith Extension Window, The ABS Effect, MLBs Newest Trend & More
The latest news on the Houston Astros and from around MLB: It’s a good thing the Astros went and acquired all that starting pitching depth: Starting pitching woes have led to the Astros leaning harder on their bullpen than any team in baseball: Are the Astros missing their chance to extend Cam Smith? While Astros […]
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 01: Cam Smith #11 of the Houston Astros steals second base against Zach Neto #9 and Chris Taylor #33 of the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Daikin Park on September 01, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images The latest news on the Houston Astros and from around MLB: It’s a good thing the Astros went and acquired all that starting pitching depth: He will be the ninth different starting pitcher for the Astros in 21 games. https://t.
co/gDZkVMoi4A — Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 17, 2026 Starting pitching woes have led to the Astros leaning harder on their bullpen than any team in baseball: The Astros bullpen is bearing the brunt of early pitching and injury woes. No team entered Thursday with more multi-inning relief outings than the Astros, who added three in a loss to Colorado and will use their ninth different starter in 21 games Friday: https://t. co/N4MnXHrwPe — Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) April 17, 2026 Are the Astros missing their chance to extend Cam Smith?
The Astros’ window to extend Cam Smith is closing. Will they even try? – https://t.
co/Aq17DbkKos — Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 17, 2026 While Astros pitchers are having big trouble with walks, they aren’t the only ones: Overlooked in all the commotion over ABS: The strike zone is different and smaller. The current walk rate of 9. 9% would be the highest since 1950.