Astros to start Peter Lambert on two days’ rest

Hunter Brown, the team’s ace, last pitched on September 25, so he would be on three days’ rest if he pitched on Tuesday. The Astros are likely going to have him start Game 2. Peter Lambert just pitched Sunday, and Hayden Wesneski threw seven innings Saturday. As a result, it will probably be AJ Blubaugh for bulk innings on Tuesday before the Astros can turn things over to their starting rotation.

Lambert gave up two singles in the first and then retired the side in order in the second. That proved sufficient for the Astros, who went on to win 9-0 to clinch their postseason berth. Lambert might start one of the three Wild Card games against the White Sox after closing out the regular season 8-10 with a 3.82 ERA in 155 2/3 innings.

It just wasn’t Lambert’s night. He allowed only two hard-hit balls, but both of those were homers, and four of the other five balls in play against him turned into hits. None of those non-homers were hit harder than 83 mph, and the back-to-back homers in the third would have been gone in nine and 17 ballparks, respectively. Lambert’s regular season concludes with an 8-10 record and a 3.87 ERA in 28 starts. He almost certainly has to start in the Wild Card series if the Astros advance, but it doesn’t seem like he has a great deal left in the tank at this point. Before throwing 166 innings this year, he came in at 22, seven, 109, 90 and 124 the last five seasons.

Lambert gave up six hits, including a two-run homer to Michael Harris II in the fourth inning, which accounted for all of the damage against him. He struck out six and only issued one walk. He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in five consecutive starts since being lit up for nine runs by the Angels back on August 20. He’ll wrap up the regular season with a tough road matchup against the Athletics at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park on Thursday.

Lambert gave up six hits, walked none and struck out four. He fell to 8-9 with the loss. Lambert has posted quality starts in his last two starts and still taken the loss both times. He has a 3.71 ERA in 26 starts, which no one saw coming before the season. Lambert is lined up to face the Braves at home next week.

Lambert gave up seven hits, walked none and struck out six. He fell to 8-8 with the loss. Lambert bounced back nicely after he failed to complete five innings in two of his last three starts entering play Sunday. He has a 3.67 ERA. Lambert is lined up to face the Rays on the road next weekend.

Lambert gave up three hits, walked five and struck out six. It was a bit of a mixed bag for Lambert, who had a 6.12 ERA in five August starts entering play Monday. His five walks were the most he’s issued in a game all year. Lambert’s ERA is 3.66. He’s lined up to face the Diamondbacks at home this weekend.

Lambert was fortunate to have just two earned runs on his ledger here. The Yankees had constant traffic on the bases against him and were really able to zero-in on his fastball. That pitch didn’t have the same vertical action it has had for much of this season – its improved shape was the key reason for Lambert’s breakout – and it was hit hard as a result. His changeup was nasty though with a nearly 50% chase rate, seven whiffs, and a fantastic 65% strike rate while working as his primary pitch. It was responsible for getting him out of the many jams he worked himself into. Nevertheless, he’s lined up for a two-start week coming up against both the White Sox and Diamondbacks at home.

Yikes. Lambert also issued a pair of walks while striking out three batters in the ballgame. The Halos got to him early and often in this one, striking for one in the first, three in the second, and five more while chasing him in the fourth — all without the benefit of a home run. Lambert got nine whiffs on 79 pitches in the forgettable outing, posting a CSW of only 24 percent. This wipes away a lot of the good work that he had done this season, as Lambert now sports a 3.68 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 120/48 K/BB ratio over 122 1/3 innings through his first 22 starts. He’ll try to turn the page as he does battle against the Yankees in New York on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should probably want to sit that one out after this miserable performance.

Lambert keeps moving right along. He tightened up after allowing two runs in the top of the first inning and barely let the Mariners challenge him after that as no other runners reached scoring position. He showed off his deep repertoire too, forcing whiffs with five different pitches including four each with his fastball and changeup. This was his eighth consecutive start allowing two runs or fewer and he left it with a sparkling 3.11 ERA. He’s scheduled to face the Angels at home next time out.