Don’t understand the mass hate for Gusto all of a sudden. He’s a perfectly average pitcher. If he’s your 6th SP you’ve got great depth and any team is fine with him making 10-15 starts in a year as an injury fill in or spot starter to manage workloads. So he’s right in the role he should be in. He’s also a rookie who’s been used inconsistently. I won’t argue he’s some badass, but he’s a perfectly average dude. Sure, everyone will be on his ass when he gives up 4 runs in 5 innings, but the problem is the Astros will lose 4-2. Jose Urquidy’s career xfip: 4.59 Ryan Gusto xfip: 4.62
I'm actually less concerned about pitching. If terrible is Gusto going 5 2/3 and giving up three, I'll take it all day and all night HOWEVER the real problem is 3-0 after five is a ****ing mountain for these bats. I would've already moved Walker down, for me 5 is too high....
Urquidy consistently outperformed his FIP. He won more than 60% of his games and ended with an ERA under 4. WHIP always very good thanks to a low walk rate. And, you know, the 3 WS wins. Comfortably a #3 type pitcher. I don't think Gusto is in that company, yet. Whole statcast page is blue.
Right but also we have come to expect dominant pitching from the Astros over the last decade. This team has been to 7 straight ALCS series and we have always had shutout pitchers in the rotation. I think the expectations are a big reason why we trash Gusto and even Lance when he came back. Also the offense is so inconsistent we almost need shut out pitching to be competitive in a lot of these games. It also hurts when he don't gain ground on the Mariners who are obviously sinking like the titanic.
True about the expectation level. However, that’s the mark of a good team and that expectation over time becomes valid. Not always fair but it comes with winning.
Great 1st Ryan! It's just not fair, Davis Mills has plenty of neck to go around and our boy Gusto could use some!
