McCullers ‘fighting against time’
Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. is “fighting against time” to return for a possible World Series pursuit, but the righthander refused to take focus away from the rest of his teammates trying to get there.
“I didn’t really want to be up here because it’s not about me. It’s about the team,” said McCullers, speaking for the first time since his omission from the American League Championship Series roster.
“We had a great Game 1 win (Friday) night. Looking for a Game 2 win today. There’s no reason for me to depress everyone’s timelines with my comments, so I’m just going to be out there for the guys.”
McCullers strained the flexor pronator muscle in his right forearm during his start in Game 4 of the American League Division Series. He will not pitch in the ALCS and his status for the World Series — should Houston advance — is cloudy. McCullers did not specify Saturday when he may throw a baseball again.
“We’re fighting against time a little bit,” McCullers said. “I’ve got to be able to throw before I just pitch in a game. So today is a better day than yesterday was, and so hopefully those days keep adding up, and we can see where I’m at.”
McCullers’ elbow is structurally sound, general manager James Click said Friday, a glimmer of good news for a pitcher who already underwent Tommy John surgery in November 2018.
McCullers made his Game 4 start on normal rest, but the rainout in Chicago did alter his prestart routine. McCullers, who was originally scheduled to start again in a possible Game 5, threw his bullpen session and lifted weights later than normal between starts. He acknowledged Saturday that “I don’t think I was probably 100 percent as normal.”
McCullers managed to throw three terrific innings despite it. The fourth turned his fortunes. With two away and lefthanded hitting Gavin Sheets at the plate, McCullers had a curveball gripped for the first pitch. He decided to throw a slider at the last second.
“So I was moving (the grip) it in my glove as I was in the windup versus having it preset before I went,” McCullers said. “And so I just kind of got around the ball a little too much, and then threw the slider, and felt my forearm kind of — I don’t know how to explain it — kind of go a little bit.”
Sheets doubled and McCullers surrendered a walk to Leury García. He spent both at-bats trying to regain some sense of normalcy in his right arm. He found it briefly to strike out Cesar Hernandez and end the frame. He did not return for another. Whether McCullers will again this season is a legitimate question.
“It’s been a tough couple of days,” McCullers said. “I can help lead this team in more ways than just pitching. Help the guys with the scouting reports, watching the game, trying to pick up on what I can. I can be there for them in more ways than one.”
The injury is a miserable final chapter to McCullers’ career season. He flourished into the closest thing Houston has to an ace, striking out 185 batters in a career-high 162 ⅓ innings. His 3.16 ERA trailed only Toronto Blue Jays righty Robbie Ray for the lowest among American League qualifiers.
“I’m probably more of a leader by action than words at times, but I can be there for these guys in any capacity, so that’s what I’m trying to do,” McCullers said. “I’m trying to be a good teammate, and I’m trying to play a part. It’s a very small part at this point, at least in this series.”
Chandler Rome
Urquidy gets nod for Game 3 start
The Astros will start righthander José Urquidy in Monday’s Game 3, Astros manager Dusty Baker said Saturday.
Urquidy was scheduled to start Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the White Sox before a rainout allowed McCullers to start on full rest. McCullers exited after the fourth inning with a forearm injury in the Astros’ 10-1 win.
As such, Monday in Boston will be Urquidy’s first appearance this postseason. Red Sox manager AlexCora declined to name his Game 3 starter on Saturday prior to Game 2.
Urquidy struck out nine Red Sox across six innings during his only regularseason appearance against them May 31 in Houston. His career playoff ERA is 2.81 across 252⁄3innings in eight games, including a start in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series at Washington.
The Astros’ ALCS Game 4 starter remains uncertain. Baker did not rule out the possibility that Game 1 starter Framber Valdez could pitch again on short rest.
Danielle Lerner
Odds and ends
The last three times the Red Sox lost Game 1 of the ALCS, they went on to win the World Series (2004, 2013, 2018). … The16 pitchers used in Game 1 set a postseason record. … Jose Altuve (20) is one of four players with 20 homeruns in the postseason. The others: Manny Ramirez (29), Bernie Williams (22) and Derek Jeter (20).