So who will it be, which starter is going to go to the bullpen to make room for McCullers?
There are three ways it can go down, move Devenski to the bullpen, move Fiers to the bullpen or use a six-man rotation between the three.
It will take a little bit of time before McCullers will be back up to seven-plus innings and a 100 plus pitches. So there is really no reason to waste a perfectly fine spot in the rotation for a guy that might only be able to give you four-five innings for a while.
Using a modified six-man rotation would serve a couple different purposes, it would let the Astros work McCullers in slowly and help keep his innings down so they can ride him down the stretch. When Fiers or Devenski would get skipped in the rotation they would be able to provide some work out of the bullpen.
Fiers throws the ball pretty uniquely and he could do well if asked to get an out here or there. Devenski has already proved himself to be just fine out of the bullpen. So you would feel pretty confident in both guys working on days they aren't in the rotation.
Devenski has looked strong since being called up, in just a shade over 30 innings he's only allowing a 1.72 ERA. Fiers has been a little hit or miss this season but when he's on, he's on, in a little over 40 innings he has a 4.65 ERA.
Neither guy 100 percent deserves to be bounced out of the rotation permanently. Fiers last season had a no-hitter and a 3.32 ERA while with the Astros. Devenski this season has been pretty amazing and has seemingly come out of nowhere.
Keeping all three on would also delay A.J. Hinch's ultimate final decision on the rotation till McCullers is fully able to give them a whole game. There is no telling how long or slow the Astros will take in working him in, so it would be best to keep all three rather than keep bouncing someone in and out.
Below is Chris Devenski thoughts on his loss to the Indians, he also talks about his in-game adjustments.
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