{"id":777956,"date":"2026-08-13T21:33:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T21:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/777956\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T21:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T21:33:18","slug":"astros-bullpen-has-become-the-anchor-holding-this-team-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/777956\/","title":{"rendered":"Astros’ Bullpen Has Become the Anchor Holding This Team Together"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Houston Astros <\/a>bullpen has provided key innings over the last few weeks, leading directly to a handful of Astros<\/a> victories. Most recently on Wednesday, the bullpen provided 8.1 scoreless innings in an Astros victory.<\/p>\n

Hader\u2019s Dominance<\/p>\n

Josh Hader is an easy player to highlight. He has a 0.96 ERA in 29 appearances. His save record is a perfect 17 for 17.\u00a0 The closer has been perfect over his last six appearances, not allowing a single baserunner in seven innings. He hasn\u2019t given up a hit in 10.1 innings, an impressive feat that amounts to more than a full game of no-hit baseball.<\/p>\n

Hader is an early front runner for reliever of the month with his perfect 6.0 innings. He even pitched more than a single inning for the first time this season<\/a> in the extra-inning win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday. <\/p>\n

Hader came in looking to push the game to extra innings with a scoreless ninth. He was perfect, giving the Astros a chance to put up three runs in the top of the 10th. Hader had no trouble closing out the Giants in the home half of the 10th inning.<\/p>\n

Abreu Resurgence\"Bryan<\/p>\n

Aug 7, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Houston Astros pitcher . Bryan Abreu. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Bryan Abreu has been on a remarkable season turnaround. The Dominican-born reliever in his eighth season with the Astros has a 4.19 ERA, but that fails to tell the whole story.\u00a0 He has put together 12 scoreless appearances in a row, allowing just three hits over 12.0 innings. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Since June 4, Abreu has a 1.14 ERA over 23.2 innings, lowering his ERA from 7.91, where it stood after a rough first two months of the season.\u00a0 Abreu has registered four saves and holds during this stretch of the season. <\/p>\n

Okert\u2019s Steady Hand\"Houston<\/p>\n

Jul 22, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Steven Okert (48). Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Steven Okert has a 2.11 ERA in 59 appearances this season. Okert has proven to be an elite setup man for the Astros bullpen. Since June began, Okert has posted a 1.07 ERA over 33.2 innings. <\/p>\n

Last time out, he pitched 1.1 innings in an Astros victory. He was the pitcher of record as the Astros rallied to take the win with runs in the seventh and eighth. Okert improved his record to 6-1 to go along with 16 holds. Okert has added 1.420 in win probability over the course of the season and has made a positive impact in 10 of his last 12 times pitching in relief.<\/p>\n

The elite end of the Astros bullpen needs to continue to be elite for the team to make the playoff push. You can expect the team to be battling in close games for the remainder of the season, and the bullpen will be asked to carry a heavy load. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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