Have the Astros found their 8th inning guy?

June 26, 2026 - 18:25

The Houston Astros entered the season with a clear hole in the late innings. After losing key bullpen arms over the winter, the eighth inning looked like a problem the front office would have to solve by the trade deadline. But as July approaches, the answer might already be in the clubhouse.

Right-hander Bryan Abreu has quietly taken control of that high-leverage role. Over his last 15 appearances, he has posted a 1.80 ERA with 22 strikeouts and just four walks. His fastball has ticked up, and his slider is generating whiffs at an elite rate. More importantly, he has shown the ability to get out of jams against both righties and lefties.

Manager Joe Espada has started using Abreu in the eighth inning almost exclusively, often with the game on the line. The results have been steady. While the team still needs depth, the emergence of a reliable setup man takes pressure off the front office to overpay for a rental. If Abreu keeps this up, the Astros may not need to make a big splash at all.

The question now is whether he can sustain it through October. So far, the answer looks promising.