Brian McTaggart Says Astros Have 'Got To Find A 5th Starter Sometime Soon'

The Matt Thomas Show

Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, joins The Matt Thomas Show to discuss the Houston Astros completing the sweep over the Colorado Rockies with Wednesday's 7-1 win. Spencer Arrighetti started on the mound and recorded his best outing to date, striking out 10 batters in seven scoreless innings. Arrighetti "was just pounding the strike zone," McTaggart said. Hunter Brown threw his seventh straight quality start in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Rockies. "He's just pitching with so much more confidence now." The Astros are on a seven-game win streak, have reached a .500 record for the first time this season and are 4.5 games back from the lead in the AL West. While Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez and Spencer Arrighetti have led the way for the team's recent success, the Astros have "so many arms going down." General manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada have "got to find a fifth starter sometime soon." McTaggart also addresses the hole at first base that is currently being covered by Jon Singleton and Mauricio Dubon after the Astros released Jose Abreu on June 14. Will the Astros look to acquire a first baseman before the MLB trade deadline on July 30? "I don't think Dana Brown really likes rentals," but the Astros "just need an upgrade over there."