The Houston Astros have a problem that no bullpen can keep fixing

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The Houston Astros entered the All-Star break with one of baseball's most dependable bullpens. That strength, however, has exposed a growing weakness as an overworked relief corps continues covering for a starting rotation that has struggled to provide consistent length.

Astros need more from starting rotation in second half​

Houston's 6-5 loss to the Texas Rangers on Sunday highlighted a problem that has quietly followed the club throughout the first half. After Cristian Javier lasted only three innings in his first start back from a shoulder injury, Astros relievers combined to cover the next five innings before the game slipped away late.

Manager Joe Espada expected Javier's workload to be limited after two relief appearances following his injured list stint. "We were prepared for that," Espada said. "We had a fresh bullpen, and we deployed it. And they kept us in the game."

Bryan King nearly made that plan work. The left-hander escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning and returned for the eighth after Houston took a 5-4 lead. Fatigue eventually caught up, as Kyle Higashioka tied the game with a two-out home run before the Rangers completed a walk-off victory in the ninth.

"It was tough," King admitted. "But game's on the line, so we had to do it."

King's outing reflected a larger trend. Houston starters have averaged among the fewest innings per game in the majors, forcing one of baseball's busiest bullpens into repeated high-leverage situations. King, Steven Okert, and Enyel De Los Santos have each ranked among the American League leaders in appearances, while the Astros have relied on multi-inning relief more often than most contenders.

Help could arrive soon. Ronel Blanco and Hayden Wesneski are both progressing through rehabilitation assignments, giving Houston potential reinforcements for a rotation that has posted one of the league's highest ERAs this season.

The Astros remain within striking distance, but their second-half outlook may depend less on bullpen excellence and more on whether the starting rotation can finally reduce the workload it has placed on one of the club's biggest strengths.

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