Rising Houston Astros star needs serious Cy Young consideration

On Saturday, the Houston Astros had a major opportunity in front of them.

With a win, not only would they secure a series victory against one of the best teams in the American League and MLB as a whole, but it would take them three games under .500 for the first time since March 30.

Despite the presence of Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander on this roster – the latter of which is on the IL – perhaps there is no one else the Astros would rather have on the mound for an occasion like this as their rising star Ronel Blanco.

Bursting onto the national scene with a no-hit return on April 1, he entered this outing after another start where he pitched seven hitless innings before being removed from the game.

Blanco has been light, but with him facing teams that largely don’t have a strong offensive profile, outside of the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins, Saturday’s game was going to be his toughest test yet. this day.

Not only did the 30-year-old rising star succeed with flying colors, but he proved why he needs to start getting a lot more respect when it comes to the national conversation.

For a while, much of the talk around Blanco was about him being an All-Star.

It’s time to forget that.

The conversation should turn to the fact that he is considered a Cy Young contender in the American League.

Blanco is second among AL starting pitchers with a 2.34 ERA, has the fourth-best WHIP at 0.97 tied with four others, has allowed the fewest hits per nine innings at 5.099, has the third most wins with eight and has already produced a highlight reel with his no-hitter.

There are certainly other American League pitchers having great seasons like Tarik Skubal, Tanner Houck, Corbin Burnes, Garrett Crochet and others, but to completely dismiss what Blanco is doing by leaving him out of the conversation in this moment is disrespectful.

This is largely because no one knows exactly how long this might last.

After all, this is the first season he’s a full-time starter and he could completely fall apart in the second half of the year.

So far, Blanco has shown no signs of that.

He was the best pitcher Saturday against Burnes and the Baltimore Orioles. He gave his team an opportunity to win, which they took full advantage of.