Astros Announce Rotation In Opening Series vs. Yankees
By Jason Evans
Mar 8, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher
Jarred Cosart(48) pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees in a spring training exhibition game at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
With just 11 days until opening night, rotations and rosters are being set. The Yankees now know the first three starting pitchers they will be facing, as the Astros will send out Scott Feldman, Jarred Cosart and Brett Oberholtzer against the Yanks. Let’s take a look at each pitcher.
Feldman is someone Yankees fans should be very familiar with from his time with the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles. Feldman in his career against the Yankees is 3-4 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He throws a fastball, curve, cutter and splitter. He’s a groundball guy, averaging a 47% groundball rate throughout his career. The Astros spent a little money to get him in on a 3-year deal, and they will trot out their new prize on opening day.
Coasart is one of the arms the Astros hope to rely on in the future.He was acquired from the Phillies in the Hunter Pence trade. Cosart is a hard thrower with surprisingly low strikeouts. Cosart’s fastball averaged 94 MPH last season. He only had 33 in 60 big league innings last season. He did have 93 in 93 minor league innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Yankees haven’t faced him in regular season play, though they have so far this spring.
Oberholtzer is another young arm the Astros are developing that they acquired for an outfielder. He was acquired from the Braves in the Michael Bourn trade. He’s not a big strikeout guy, striking out 45 in 71.2 major league innings, though he went 4-5 with a 2.76 ERA. The Yanks faced him last September. In the Yankee win, Oberholtzer gave up three runs and struck out four in five innings.
You can watch some highlight from that game of Oberholtzer here: