Josh Hader, Bryan Abreu, and Steven Okert have carried a bullpen that's had to cover for an inconsistent rotation all season.
The Houston Astros rotation has had a rough go of it all season, injuries, inconsistency, you name it. The bullpen's dealt with its own share of that too. Josh Hader missed the entire start of the season, sidelined with biceps tendinitis all the way from Opening Day through early June, and Houston went just 27-34 without him.
Bryan Abreu stepped into the closer role while Hader was out, but he couldnt quite close at Haders level. Since Hader's return, he's been racking up saves and pitching like his usual dominant self. Other relievers haven't been as steady, Abreu himself gave up a walk-off, two-run homer that ended up sending the Rays to the playoffs, a reminder that even the good arms in this pen have had rough nights. That being said, Abreu has also had plenty of strong moments this season. The bullpen grew a little by adding Tatsuya Imai who was struggling as a starter.
That being said, here is a look at the three arms that have really done the most for the Astros bullpen this season.
Starting with Steven Okert, who's probably the most overlooked of the three even though he's been just as dominant as Hader and Abreu. He sits at 6-2 with a 2.13 ERA and 68 strikeouts, and from June through his last outing, he was about as locked in as anyone in this bullpen, at one point going a long stretch without walking a single batter. The only issue is he landed himself on the IL, and his expected return date is TBA.
Then there is, Bryan Abreu who has has a serious turn around. When he filled in for Josh Hader earlier in the season it was clear, they really needed Hader back. But after a rough start Abreu has turned his season around. He's up to 6-4 with a 3.86 ERA and 76 strikeouts, and he's got a piece of Astros history too, he pitched in the combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series.
Then finally, Josh Hader who has been about as close to automatic as it gets. He's sitting at 4-1 with a 0.87 ERA and 25 saves, and he just won AL Reliever of the Month for August without allowing a single run the entire month, his 9th career Reliever of the Month award. He's strung together long scoreless streaks all year, and he hit a real milestone too, his 250th career save. Probably the best return from an injury the Astrso have seen all season.
Three very different arms, all having big years, right when the Astros need their bullpen the most. Losing Okert for even a little while stings, but this staff has proven all season it can find a way to hold things together. Just no more walk off homers in the 9th.
