Here are 5 Astros who need to step up in a Verlander-less rotation for playoffs
HOUSTON โ For two months, the Astros hoped they would get Justin Verlander back to lead the team through the playoffs. Now the teamโs ace will be Zack Greinke for the playoffs with a patchwork of young and recently-injured pitchers to finish out the season. Hereโs a look at who the Astros have left in their rotation. The veteran got his ERA as low as 1.84 before giving up at least three runs or more in his past six starts. He will likely be the Astros #3 starter in the playoffs if heโs healthy.
Longtime baseball pro scout Gary Hughes dies at 79
SAN FRANCISCO โ Gary Hughes, a beloved professional scout for numerous big league organizations during a 54-year career, has died in Northern California after a battle with cancer. โGary Hughes was the quintessential baseball man,โ baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said. โWithout Gary Hughes, I probably would have never played a day in the big leagues," said Kevin Millar, a 12-year major league veteran. Hughes' son, Michael โRockโ Hughes, longtime Marlins visiting clubhouse manager, is married to Counsell's sister. โGary was one of the great baseball scouts," former baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said, "and one of the great baseball minds of our generation.โ___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.