Mike

Burrows

Burrows struggled out of the gate, loading the bases in the first inning on two walks and a hit. A hit batter drove in a run, followed by a base hit to score two more before Burrows could get out of the inning. He settled in for three more scoreless innings before giving up a fourth run on a pair of two-out hits in the fifth. Burrow’s day would be done after five. He struck out three. The 26-year-old right-hander will take a 5.58 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and a 72/33 K/BB ratio across 90 1/3 innings into a road start against the Nationals next Tuesday.

Burrows’ first start in 11 days was one of his best of the year. It’s just the second time he’s allowed one run or fewer and the sixth time in 15 starts that he’s completed six innings. Burrows still wasn’t exactly dominant in finishing with three strikeouts, seven whiffs on 45 swings and a 25 percent CSW. Still, it’s a positive showing for him to carry into his start against the Twins next week.

It’s unclear which game he’ll start, but Wednesday’s makes the most sense. Burrows made his first relief appearance of the year Friday, throwing one scoreless innings in the win over the Guardians. He was prepared to go long in the contest, but it wasn’t necessary with Tatsuya Imai striking out 11 in six innings.

The Astros are going with Tatsuya Imai, Spencer Arrighetti, and Kai-Wei Teng for the Guardians series this weekend. There was some question surrounding what the Astros would do with their rotation when Hunter Brown came off the injured list, and it appears, for now, that Burrows may be the odd man out. He will piggyback with Imai on Friday, but with a 5.86 ERA through 14 starts, he doesn’t need to be held in most league types.

Burrows gave up five runs for a third straight outing and sixth time overall this season. He seems like the obvious cut from the rotation with Hunter Brown set to return early next week. Though 14 starts, he has a 5.86 ERA and has given up 18 homers in 78 1/3 innings.

Burrows struck out three, walked two, and served up two homers in the outing. Nick Kurtz and Brent Rooker each took him deep, raising his ERA on the year to 5.77. Only Jameson Taillon has given up more homers than Burrows’ 17 this season. A change of scenery hasn’t helped him take the next step as a pitcher, and he’s a difficult arm to trust in fantasy next time out versus the Royals on the road.

Burrows tossed a scoreless first inning, then surrendered a two-run homer to Endy Rodríguez in the second. He’d strand two more runners before getting out of the frame. Burrows would take a two-run lead into the sixth, but gave up a three-run homer to Oneil Cruz before recording an out. Burrows would leave a runner on base, departing at 90 pitches. The inherited runner would eventually come in to score. The 26-year-old right-hander has disappointed so far this season with the Astros, posting a 5.66 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and a 57/26 K/BB ratio across 68 1/3 innings into a start against the Athletics in Houston on Sunday.

Burrows allowed four hits in the first inning, but managed to hold the Rangers to just one run despite the early trouble. After pitching a scoreless second inning, Burrows would be taken deep by Joc Pederson for a solo homer in the third inning to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead, but he would settle in from there. Burrows didn’t allow another run on the night while getting through seven innings, and left with the game deadlocked at 2-2. Burrows has struggled throughout most of this season and ends this month with a 5.11 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Pirates.

The runs came on homers from Victor Caratini and Ryan Kreidler, bringing Burrows’ total to 12 given up in 56 1/3 innings this year. He also managed just two strikeouts and walked three today. It’s probably time for Burrows to head to Triple-A for spell, but if not, he has a favorable matchup next week in Texas.

Burrows allowed eight hits, walked three and struck out four while giving up two homers for the third time this season. He’d shown improvement of late, amassing a 2.50 ERA in his previous three starts against the Yankees, Red Sox and Reds, but this leaves him 2-5 with a 5.72 ERA overall. With the Astros stretching out Kai-Wei Teng, Burrows might be a candidate for demotion if he has another outing like this next week against the Twins.