Astros Pitching Depth Challenges, Gusto Impresses Amid Injuries

The Houston Astros are benefiting from impressive pitching depth, with rookie Ryan Gusto solidifying his spot in the rotation and Lance McCullers Jr. expected to return soon, giving the team a surplus of strong starters and one of the best pitching stats in the American League. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees have faced significant pitching injuries, exposing depth issues at the back of their rotation, where struggles from Clarke Schmidt and reliance on less proven pitchers have raised concerns about sustaining their strong start. Offensively, the Yankees have exceeded expectations, led by Aaron Judge's MVP-caliber performance and the emergence of Ben Rice as a key contributor, creating a potential lineup challenge if Giancarlo Stanton returns. However, the Yankees' high-profile offseason addition Cody Bellinger is underperforming at the plate despite solid defense, adding another complication to their roster choices. In contrast, the Seattle Mariners, traditionally strong in starting pitching, have seen uncharacteristic struggles from their rotation, with high ERAs, short outings, and overused bullpen, making their current over-.500 record more precarious. These developments highlight shifting strengths and vulnerabilities among American League contenders, with depth and player performance likely to define their trajectories.