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Keuchel's next start delayed due to fatigue

R. Yeatts / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Houston Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel will have his next start pushed back to either Saturday or Sunday, after manager A.J. Hinch told reporters the reigning Cy Young winner is dealing with minor fatigue.

Keuchel, who's performed better of late after a rocky first half, was slated to start Friday's series opener against the Texas Rangers in a showdown between playoff contenders.

"One day is not going to hurt," Keuchel said, according to the Houston Chronicle. "We have a tough stretch coming up, so I want to be at my best whenever that comes. I'll take one now if I have to and we'll go from there."

Split ERA WHIP K/BB
1st Half 4.80 1.367 2.81
2nd Half 3.94 1.083 3.64

Keuchel said he's been a little more sore than usual, though he hasn't shown it. The 28-year-old pitched to a 3-1 record in August, posting a season-best 3.10 ERA for the month with 25 strikeouts and five walks. Hinch said Doug Fister will start in his place Friday against A.J. Griffin.

"It keeps Fister on regular rotation," Hinch said. "He's a guy that we wanted to keep on regular rotation. We like the way he comes back on regular rest."

Houston enters the weekend 8 1/2 games back of the division-leading Rangers, but is just one game behind a share of the second wild-card spot. The three-game set in Texas jump-starts an especially grueling stretch for the Astros, who then travel to Cleveland for four games, before hosting the Rangers and Cubs.

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