Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show following a 4-0 loss against the Oakland Athletics on Monday in the first of a three-game road series.
The Astros arrived in Oakland after a series win in Seattle over the division rival Mariners. "The energy in Seattle felt like a playoff game," Espada said. The Astros are currently tied with the Mariners for the lead in the AL West.
The Astros starting pitching staff has endured a heavy workload with many injuries to the roster. Ronel Blanco leads the Astros in innings pitched and quality starts. Blanco is already at 114.2 innings pitched this season after only pitching 134 last year. With his first full season in the Majors, the Astros will continue to lean on Blanco in this tight division race. Young pitchers reaching an inning threshold is "something we are very aware of" and "it keeps me up at night," Espada said. "We need a six-man rotation."
Espada also discusses Justin Verlander and Kyle Tucker rehabbing from injury, Jake Bloss starting on the mound Tuesday and talks with the organization as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
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