Astros rookie emergence raises the stakes for rotation, playoffs
PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT
27 July 2023
Coming off a series win against the Rangers, the Astros are two games back in the AL West with about two months to go in the regular season.
And as we look at the team's starting rotation, the pitcher with the best ERA is no longer Astros' ace Framber Valdez. Rookie JP France holds the best ERA of the starters at 2.87.
While France certainly passes the eye test and has been the club's most consistent starter as of late, he's only pitched about 85 innings this year. It will be interesting to see if he's still as effective over the next couple of months.
We've seen Framber, Cristian Javier, and Hunter Brown wear down a bit over the last several weeks. And they've all pitched over 100 innings to date.
If France is able to push through without wearing down, what happens in the postseason? Would Dusty Baker slot France in as the No. 2 starter?
And if France can finish the season strong with an ERA in the two's, could he be in the Rookie of the Year conversation?
Be sure to watch the video above as we share our thoughts on Houston's impressive rookie pitcher, and much more!
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The Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday acquired tackle Austin Deculus from the Houston Texans.
The Chargers will send a 2027 conditional seventh-round pick to Houston.
Deculus was picked sixth by Houston in the 2022 NFL draft and has appeared in 15 career games including the postseason, making a pair of starts.
He saw the most action of his career in 2023, when he played in seven games with one start, contributing along an offensive line that helped quarterback C.J. Stroud throw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns.
A four-year starter at right tackle at Louisiana State, Deculus played five years for the Tigers, making 46 starts. His 61 games were the most by any player in program history. Deculus played with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow.
With Deculus off the roster, here's a look at how the Texans look after cutting down to 53 players.
The Initial 53-Man Roster 🤘 pic.twitter.com/78xyi1kopY
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 26, 2025
