Astros' Dallas Keuchel: Deserves better

Keuchel allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four over seven innings in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Royals.

Analysis:

Keuchel pitched brilliantly and efficiently (93 pitches, 61 strikes) before leaving the game to the capable right arm of Luke Gregerson, who submitted a career-worst performance. A win was snatched away from the Astros ace, but we like to accentuate the positive. It was a second straight dominating start for Keuchel, whose shoulder was a major concern during spring training. Gregerson, quite obviously, was the culprit Saturday, but Houston hitters are doing little to support the starters. The Astros are hitting .227 (22nd) over their first six games and have scored three or fewer runs in five of those games.