The Houston Astros are doing what they have done often in recent years. The club has a bad start and people start to think they won’t be in playoff contention.
Yet, the Astros are 40-30 and hold a five-game lead in the American League West. The offense that lost Kyle Tucker is tied for third in Major League Baseball for batting average, and the pitching staff is top 10 in most categories.
The starting rotation features Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez, who have dominated MLB so far this season.
However, the rotation has dealt with season-ending injuries to Ronel Blanco and Hayden Wesneski. Rookies Ryan Gusto and Colton Gordon slotted into their spots but have struggled.
If the Astros want to maintain their lead in the division and make it to the postseason, a move to acquire a quality starting pitcher is imperative.
If the Arizona Diamondbacks decide to become sellers at the trade deadline, Houston may be interested in a veteran righty on an expiring contract.
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36-year-old right-hander Merrill Kelly could be made available and would be a good fit for the Astros.
“Kelly will have a less competitive market than Sale, but has also looked great this year,” wrote Sports Illustrated’s Dylan Sanders. “The 36-year-old Houston native has a 2.34 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 73 innings over his last 12 starts.”
Kelly is 6-2 with a 3.18 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP in 14 starts this season. He has consistently been one of the better pitchers in the league since signing with Arizona in 2019.
Kelly pitched in South Korea from 2015 to 2018, boasting a 48-32 record with a 3.86 ERA and 641 strikeouts. He was the Korea Baseball Organization’s strikeout leader in 2017.
In 154 MLB starts, Kelly is 59-46 with a 3.76 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
At this stage in his career and as a rental, it shouldn’t require a haul for Kelly to be moved despite his consistency.
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