RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 17% of leagues
ANALYSIS: Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia put together a solid start against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Garcia pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed five hits, two walks and three earned runs while striking out seven. Through seven games (including five starts) this year, Garcia has a 3.60 ERA, a 1.067 WHIP and a 28.5% strikeout rate.
Garcia has had great success with his cutter so far this year. He only threw the pitch 9.9% of the time last year. This year, he's thrown it 18.5% of the time so far, his second-most thrown pitch. It's generated a whiff rate of 51.1%, up from just 12.5% last year.
The Astros are likely to be cautious of Garcia's innings this year. He threw just 12.1 innings in 2020 after throwing 108.2 innings the year before. He's up to 30 innings after seven games this year and he'll likely be held to five or six innings at most throughout the year, limiting his potential for wins and quality starts.
Garcia has a relatively secure spot in the Astros rotation right now and will get great run support while he remains there. As long as he can keep pitching to something similar to a 3.60 ERA and 1.067 WHIP, he'll have a good chance to earn some wins when he lasts five innings - despite his surprising 0-3 record to start the year. He should be rostered in all leagues of 12 teams or deeper. His next start will be on Saturday against the Texas Rangers.
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