Brandon Walter

Brandon Walter allowed five hits and one run with five strikeouts across six strong innings to earn the win against the Cubs on Friday.

Walter turned in another good outing here. He faced just two over the minimum through the first four innings and let his Astros build up a big lead. He’s certainly not an overpowering pitcher with a fastball that sits around 92 mph, but a classic crafty lefty that knows how to work the edges of the plate. His cutter was especially tough on the Cubs’ right-handed batters with nearly all of them buried on their hands. The only run Walter allowed did come against that cutter though, when Nico Hoerner went down and golfed one that was around his knees. All in all, it was a great start from a young pitcher that may be breaking out. He’s due to face the Rockies in Coors Field next time out.