Astros' Ronel Blanco: Works into seventh inning in win
Rotowire
Blanco (2-2) gained the win against the Blue Jays on Tuesday after allowing one run on two hits and two walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out three.
It was a much-needed bounce-back effort by Blanco, who induced 12 whiffs and gave up just two hits Tuesday after entering play with a dismal 6.38 ERA through his first four starts in 2025. The right-hander did yield a solo shot to Nathan Lukes in the third inning, but it was still Blanco's longest outing of the season in terms of innings pitched. Blanco now holds a 5.01 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB over 23.1 frames ahead of his next scheduled appearance, currently projected for next week at home against the Tigers.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Falls to St. Louis
Rotowire
Blanco (1-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out one.
Blanco got off to a nice start, allowing just one hit through his first four scoreless innings. However, the Cardinals led off the fifth with back-to-back singles before Lars Nootbaar launched a three-run homer. It's been a shaky beginning to the year for Blanco -- his ERA now sits at 6.48 with a 1.68 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB through his first four starts (16.2 innings). Blanco is currently scheduled for a home matchup with the Blue Jays in his next outing.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Earns first win
Rotowire
Blanco (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven over five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Friday.
The Astros' offense was a little quiet early on before erupting for a six-run fifth inning. Blanco had allowed a solo home run to Mike Trout in the fourth and an RBI single to Jo Adell in the fifth to account for the two runs on his line. This was Blanco's first win in three starts, and he threw of 52 of 84 pitches for strikes. He's struggled with walks at times this year -- he has a 16:7 K:BB over 11.2 innings while adding a 6.94 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. However, the Trout homer was the first long ball Blanco's given up, and he should be able to find a decent amount of success if he keeps the ball down. The right-hander's next start is projected to be on the road versus the Cardinals next week.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Struggles against Twins
Rotowire
Blanco pitched 1.2 innings, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three batters in Sunday's 9-7 extra-inning win over the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.
Blanco was in trouble early Sunday, surrendering three hits and a walk in the first inning, which resulted in three runs for Minnesota. He then walked two batters and gave up two singles while recording just two outs in the second frame. Blanco has now combined to allow seven runs on eight hits and six walks while striking out nine batters over 6.2 innings in two starts this season. His next turn in the rotation is tentatively set to come Saturday at home against the Angels.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Goes five in loss
Rotowire
Blanco (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Giants, pitching five innings while allowing three runs on three hits and three walks. He struck out six.
Blanco was not sharp during the Grapefruit League, pitching to an 8.44 ERA and 2.25 WHIP across 10.2 innings, and carried that malaise into this performance. The Houston right-hander labored across his five frames, requiring 92 pitches, only 43.5 percent of which found the strike zone, to complete the task. Blanco will look to bounce back in his next start this weekend, currently scheduled to be at Minnesota.
Blanco was removed from his start Wednesday against the Mets after getting struck by a line drive in the fourth inning, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Blanco didn't seem to be too shaken up following the incident, but he retreated to the clubhouse afterward and was replaced on the mound for the start of the fifth inning. He later said that the ball only grazed his wrist, per Rome, and the right-hander only left the game because he had reached his pitch count. The 31-year-old Blanco finished the day with three runs allowed in 3.2 innings, bringing his Grapefruit League ERA to 8.44.
Blanco is prioritizing an attack of the strike zone this season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Blanco had one of the biggest breakout performances in 2024, but he struggled to consistently find the strike zone, as his 10.1 percent walk rate in the regular season was the highest mark of any qualified starter. He escaped relatively unscathed thanks to a .187 BABIP with runners on base and .160 with runners in scoring position, both of which are unlikely to repeat in 2025. As a result, he plans to be less precise with his pitches in hopes of finding the strike zone more consistently.
Blanco (13-6) picked up the win Friday at Cleveland, pitching five scoreless innings while allowing one hit and two walks. He struck out three.
The Houston right-hander took a 0.95 ERA over 19 September frames into this game, and Friday represented his third scoreless start of the month. Blanco yielded just one hit -- a Will Brennan single in the fifth inning -- as he stymied the Guardians over 86 pitches. The 31-year-old caps a brilliant breakout season in which he was a fantasy star, producing a 2.80 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 166:68 K:BB across 167.1 innings, including a no-hitter on April 1.
