Report: Astros Ace Out For the Season

 

It came as a blow to the Houston Astros when Lance McCullers Jr. had to miss the ALCS with a forearm injury. Now it looks like they'll have to carry on without him if they are to make the World Series.

Astros ace Lance McCullers is seen as not likely to be able to pitch in the World Series should Houston get there. The good news is his forearm injury is seen as muscular in nature so he should be fine, just not in time for the WS. McCullers had a 0.84 ERA in ALDS. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 20, 2021

The good news, it seems, is that the injury is seen as muscular, according to Jon Heyman, so it shouldn't be a long-term issue. But his availability for any World Series appearance won't be in the cards. 

The official terminology of the injury is a flexor pronator muscle strain. It comes at a terrible time for the Astros, and for McCullers. He's coming off the best season of his career, after posting a 13-6 record with a 3.16 ERA. 

He went one better in the ALDS, with a Game 1 victory over the White Sox, and a 0.84 ERA over two starts. 

About his unavailability, he told ESPN, "I want to be out there. I feel like in a way I've kind of let the guys down. I know I can't do anything about it, but it feels that way to me."

With McCullers acting as cheerleader in the dugout, the Astros are up 3-2 on the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, and are one win away from the World Series. 

Photo Credit:  Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports