There have only been a few bright spots this season for the Houston Astros when it comes to pitching, but tonight they will have at least two solid performances. Between Spencer Arrighetti and Josh Hader, it should be a good night for the Astros on the mound.
Spencer Arrighetti has quickly emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. He went from starting the season in Triple-A to making history. He is the only pitcher since 1913 to enter June with 7+ wins, a sub-1.50 ERA, and fewer than 30 hits allowed, per OptaSTATS.
He is walking into today's game with a 7-1, 1.34 ERA. He has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his starts. His low-90s fastball paired with an outstanding curve keeps hitters off balance. Old school pitching sequencing at its best, per MLB. He was also named the American League Pitcher of the Month for May.
Arrighetti has been the anchor that kept the rotation from completely falling apart and has been part of some historic wins like snapping a 13-year losing streak at Wrigley Field.
Then they finally have Josh Hader back. Hader was officially activated from the IL June 2. He has been on the IL since the start of the season with left biceps tendinitis. His return gives the bullpen the late-inning anchor it has been missing all season. Bryan Abreu has been struggling in the closer role so the timing could not be better.
Hader is set to close this evening for the second game of the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Daikin Park. This will be the first time Hader steps on a major league mound since August 8, 2025, when he pitched two innings against the New York Yankees. He missed the remainder of the 2025 season with a left shoulder capsule strain. After a long time away, he is finally back.
Between the solid start that Arrighetti is almost guaranteed to give and Hader coming in to close the game, the Astros could easily continue their upswing that started rolling in the month of May. With key players returning and the offense clicking, by mid-June this could be a completely different team than the one we saw struggle through the spring. After a tough loss last night they have a chance to bounce back and take control of the series.
