The Astros will face 24-year old 6'7" 255lb RHP Blake Beavan.
*1st Round pick (17th overall) by the Texas Rangers in the 2007 draft, out of Irving High School for $1.5m.
*He was traded by the Rangers to the Mariners with Justin Smoak, Matt Lawson, and Josh Lueke for Cliff Lee and Mark Lowe on July 9, 2010.
*In 42 starts, he's 16-17 with a 4.46 ERA/1.25 WHIP.
*He's a low-strikeout guy: in 254.1 career IP, Beavan has 111 strikeouts (3.9 per nine innings)
*Beavan was Seattle's starter on April 21, 2012. Why is that important? It's the game in which Philip Humber was perfect for the White Sox.
*His fastball - which he threw 63.6% of the time in 2012 - averaged 90.9mph in 2012. He threw a 79mph slider 22.9% of the time, mixing in a 72.2mph curve (9.8%) and an 81.8mph changeup (3.7%).
*Beavan has made one start this season - at Chicago - and allowed 6H/5ER, 2K:0BB, 2HR in 5IP. He got the no decision, but the Mariners won 8-7.
*Through the first three innings against the White Sox, Beavan needed 38 pitches to get through ten batters. Then he allowed 2H/1ER in the 4th, and a 32-pitch 5th inning, where he allowed 4H/4ER knocked him out of the game.
*Only Carlos Pena has ever faced Beavan, and he's 1x9 with a strikeout.
*Similarly, Brad Peacock has only ever faced two Mariners: Jason Bay (0x1, BB) and Raul Ibanez (0x2).
*It's worth keeping an eye on the bullpen. Opponents are hitting .300/.353/.500 with a .292 BABIP against Astros relievers.
