Ronel Blanco

The right-hander struck out three with two walks, and he gave up just one hit. Blanco has been outstanding in 2024, and finishes his first year as a full-time starter with a 2.88 ERA in 167 1/3 innings. It was needed for the Astros with their issues with health, but fantasy managers certainly got their share of help, too. He's expected to be a multi-inning option in the Wild Card round and potentially beyond.

Arrighetti is lined up to start Sunday, but the Astros want to treat him as a reliever instead and line him up to be used that way in the postseason. They're likely looking at Framber Valdez, Yusei Kikuchi, Ronel Blanco and Hunter Brown as their postseason starters.

Ronel Blanco and Justin Verlander will start the first two games against Cleveland this weekend. We'd still expect Arrighetti to get the nod on Sunday. Framber Valdez would be able to pitch on normal rest that day if there's reason for him to do so, but the Astros no longer have any chance of earning a bye.

Blanco gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out nine. It was his 12th win of the season. Blanco tied his season-high with nine strikeouts. He's allowed two or less runs in seven of his last eight starts. Blanco has a 2.88 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 163 strikeouts in 162 1/3 innings on the year. The 31-year-old right-hander is set to face the Guardians on the road next weekend.

O'Hoppe's home run was his 20th of the season. He hit a solo shot off Ronel Blanco in the fourth inning. O'Hoppe 14 home runs and a .500 SLG in 51 games last year, but hasn't hit for the same power in a full season this year. His SLG is just .409 in 131 games. O'Hoppe is hitting .239 with a .706 OPS and 56 RBI on the year.