Dusty Baker Makes Intriguing Rotation Change Ahead of Intimidating May Schedule

After a 7-8 start in April, the Houston Astros are prepping for a brutal stretch of games into the month of May. Houston will play 33 games in the next 34 days as the team hopes to turn around a slow start and their fourth-place spot in the AL West standings.

Fortunately, manager Dusty Baker has a plan to get through this stretch of games. Baker revealed this plan on Sunday, although he's been hinting at it since Spring Training, for Houston to employ a six-man rotation for the foreseeable future.

Astros Cristian Javier

Right-handed pitcher Cristian Javier will step into the rotation for this stretch.

Astros News

Javier is no stranger to the rotation. The third-year pro has made 19 starts in his 51 total appearances, pitching to an 8-3 record and 3.42 ERA in those situations.

Depth has been an early issue through three rounds of the starting rotation as Jose Urquidy (5.52 ERA) and Jake Odorizzi (9.00) both went through early struggles. As a whole, Houston's starting rotation ranks just 22nd in baseball at a 4.60 mark.

As it stands, the oddsmakers aren't too concerned about Houston turning things around. FanDuel Sportsook's MLB Odds show the Astros as favorites to win the AL West at -195 odds.

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