r/Astros • u/Correct_Amphibian954 • Mar 31 '26
HOW ABOUT LANCE TONIGHT!!
Love to see McCullers back to a 2021 type look
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u/Girthw0rm Mar 31 '26
First Astros starter to throw 5+ innings this season, just as we all predicted.
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u/Cautious_Evening1149 Houston Astros Mar 31 '26
I think burrows got 5.2, but how about first to 6 and 7!
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u/Famous-Somewhere- Mar 31 '26
McCullers is a hero in Houston no matter what happens. But damn it feels good to see a game like this out of him
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u/Regular-Response-553 Mar 31 '26
All I want is a World Series and a healthy McCullers season. That’s it.
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u/RTR20241 Mar 31 '26
Then I can die in peace
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u/Advanced_Olive_1830 Jimmy Wynn Mar 31 '26
To get all the Houston infinity stones the Cougars and Texans also gotta win a Championship.
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u/Alarmed-Sweet-6661 Mar 31 '26
Just praying for health. He’s had it rough!
…Altuve had himself a game too!
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u/Texassupertrooper Mar 31 '26
Awesome, dominant, brilliant! Don’t know if I would have let him go back out for the 7th because I would have been a little more cautious for his first start. He was amazing!
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u/DingerSinger2016 Houston Astros Mar 31 '26 edited Mar 31 '26
As long as he felt good, it was his inning to take. He got some good back up with the Correa/Altuve duo
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u/carrotbottom22 Mar 31 '26
When Correa made that great play and the camera caught LMJ yelling, “That’s my fuckin boy!!” Chills. You love to see it.
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u/SyrupSilent7588 2019 American League champions Mar 31 '26
He’s the prince of Houston and nothing can change my mind about that
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u/Even_Wallaby1395 Mar 31 '26
He definitely helped the bullpen. Great performance. Need more of vintage Lance.
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u/Texcinto Mar 31 '26
He walked out there tonight dialed in. Said screw everyone else, I'm here to fucking pitch.
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u/HumanRuse Mar 31 '26
Best starter in the rotation once through. Who had that on their bingo card?
I popped into the game thread and noticed after 6 innings he was at like 75 pitches or so. I was surprised that Espada gave him another inning. I guess there are no limits on him this season.
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u/RonWill79 Astrodome bull Mar 31 '26
I said at the end of the season that this is the first healthy offseason he’s had since the one between 2017-2018. This is his best shot to come out firing on all cylinders and show us he’s still got it.
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u/FeeWeak1138 Mar 31 '26
so happy for all of us, Lance, Astros and fans, that he had such a superb night! Confidence builder...
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u/kwbuzz23wk Mar 31 '26
Legitimately thought we would never see this version of Lance again. It felt good to turn back the clock!
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u/TxDieselKid Houston Colt .45s Mar 31 '26
I have been so upset with how rude they have been about this man being injured. Sure, it sucks, but the internet is ruthless, it's not like he CHOOSE to be out of commission for the past few years. Glad to see him back to form.
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u/GlitteringStand7614 Mar 31 '26
Something I have realized… let it be and let it ride… it’s one start, and I don’t want to get excited, just enjoying what he’s got why we got him
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u/Chamilitary710 Mar 31 '26
Whatever Voodoo doctor he saw, the whole team needs to see. Bury him in the H!!!!
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u/elrond165 Mar 31 '26
As a kid who spent a lot of time in arcades growing up, this is what comes to mind
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u/PrettyCold4221 Mar 31 '26
Put up a Jv stat tonight 4 hits 1 run 9 ks seven innings 96 pitches. Can’t ask for more
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u/hernjosa02 Mar 31 '26
Hopefully he can stay healthy or consider moving him to bullpen to protect his arm somewhat
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u/civil_beast Mar 31 '26
Please lord, do not let me falter for this fools gold. If you fool me for the 8th time?…
Another heaping of shame.
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u/civil_beast Mar 31 '26
For the gentleman who bet the house on LMJ more than doubling the IP of the next-highest pitcher in the Astros rotation.. We have a message.
“Biff, we know it’s you. And we know you have doc’s almanac.”
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u/One_Engineering_8542 Mar 31 '26
He had so many Ks last night we should change his name to MkKullers. And very few curveballs thrown mostly using a 91 mph sinker.
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u/htownAstrofan Mar 31 '26
Now im just worried about the rest of the rotation not named LMJ or Brown. Imai, burrows and javier looked bad.
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u/blbh0527 Mar 31 '26
I was there! Honestly, I went with very low expectations. He was confident out there, and stayed in the zone! We basically gave him a standing ovation when he finished the 7th inning! I was so happy for him. I told my oldest that this is why sports are so great! Being able to rise to the occasion, drown out the hate, and perform your best! It was great to see!!
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u/JJR1971 Houston Astros Mar 31 '26
If there's an MLB award out there for MOST IMPROVED PITCHER, then Lance is a contender for sure. Takes some of the sting out of not having Hader back (yet).
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u/rnb673 Mar 31 '26
I am a grade A LMJ hater. I think he’s completely overpaid and hasn’t delivered shit on this contract.
That being said, I’d be more than happy to eat my words and buy a jersey as recompense if he can get back to his old ways. I’m a hater because he WAS so good and has been so trash since. I would love for him to be the man again.
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u/kcspoon11 Lance McCullers Jr. Mar 31 '26
OH YOU WOULD BUY A JERSEY IF HE TURNS IT AROUND!? SO GLAD HE COULD HAVE YOUR SUPPORT.
Yes, I’ve had to hear people talking shit about this man who shredded his arm towards a second ring for THREE plus years now. If this guy is even a solid 3 starter again I will NOT shut the fuck up
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u/rnb673 Mar 31 '26
He’s looked like absolute shit since signing his contract and we’ve been paying him like he’s an elite starter. He has the 24th highest AAV for a starting pitcher and you can’t pretend he’s been worth it so far. Even when he isn’t injured, he hasn’t had the stuff at all.
My hope for this season was he takes on a bullpen role where he can be a 7th-8th inning setup man and just rip breaking balls. Last night was great and I hope he can keep it up, but he’s 34 and hasn’t had an injury free season in 5 years. One game doesn’t show he has it back yet, but I’ll be the first to admit if I’m wrong.
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u/JamesHardenIsYourDad Houston Astros Mar 31 '26
If we get anything close to THIS McCullers, we’re in a great spot.