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.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Fans nine in comfortable victory
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Blanco (12-6) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over six innings.
Blanco gave up a second-inning run that tied the score 1-1, but Houston put up six more runs by the end of the third to give the right-hander plenty of padding. He yielded just one more tally -- on a Logan O'Hoppe solo homer -- and notched his second straight quality start (and second consecutive victory). Blanco has emerged as a key part of the Astros' rotation with a 2.88 ERA (fifth among qualified pitchers), 1.10 WHIP and 163:66 K:BB over 162.1 innings, though it's possible he moves to the bullpen once the postseason begins.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Excellent in return to rotation
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Blanco (11-6) allowed four hits and two walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.
Blanco struggled with a 4.98 ERA over 34.1 innings across seven appearances immediately after the All-Star break. He's since turned things around with a 13-inning scoreless streak over three outings (two starts) in September, though it likely helped that he had a turn through the rotation skipped last week. Overall, Blanco has a 2.88 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 154:64 K:BB through 156.1 innings this season. If the Astros stick with a six-man rotation this week, Blanco is lined up to face the Angels again, with that outing in Houston.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Available out of bullpen
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Blanco will be available out of the bullpen for this weekend's series against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Manager Joe Espada confirmed, however, that the Astros will be returning to a six-man rotation following Monday's team off day, which means Blanco will be back in the rotation next weekend in Anaheim. Chances are, the right-hander will return to the bullpen for the postseason, but with Houston not having another day off after Monday until Sept. 26, Blanco could perhaps make two more starts before the end of the campaign. He's already thrown a career-high 148.1 innings in 2024.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Eventual move to bullpen likely
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Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Blanco is the most likely candidate to move to the bullpen when the team shifts to a five-man rotation, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The Astros have been utilizing a six-man rotation since Justin Verlander returned from the injured list in late August, but a move back a traditional five-man setup is imminent. Blanco's next turn would come up Sunday against the Diamondbacks, but it's not clear whether he will take the ball that day or move to the bullpen before then. The 31-year-old has been a godsend for the Astros' rotation this season, but he does have a 4.35 ERA in the second half and is already more than 20 innings past last year's workload. Blanco was used almost exclusively in relief from 2018-22.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Falls short of quality start
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Blanco came away with a no-decision in Monday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Phillies, giving up two runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.
The right-hander blanked Philly through four innings before giving up single runs in the fifth and sixth, and Blanco left the mound after 91 pitches (61 strikes) just short of his 13th quality start of the season. He's taken a big step back since the All-Star break, managing only one QS in seven trips to the mound while posting a 4.98 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 41:15 K:BB through 34.1 innings, and his career-high workload of 143.1 frames likely has something to do with that. Blanco will look for his first win since July 9 in his next outing, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Royals.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Set to start Tuesday
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Blanco (finger) is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Red Sox, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander reported some finger soreness after being hit by a comebacker during his previous start Wednesday, but he'll be ready to make his next turn through the rotation Tuesday versus Boston. Blanco has pitched well in his first three starts of August with a 2.40 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across 15 innings.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Hit by comebacker
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Blanco was removed from his start Wednesday against the Rays after getting hit in the left index finger by a comebacker, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.
Blanco reported soreness in his finger after getting hit in his left (non-throwing) hand by a 106-mph line drive off the bat of Brandon Lowe, prompting his removal after six shutout innings. Initial X-rays came back negative after the game, so it appears the 30-year-old righty managed to escape without a significant injury. He's lined up to start against Boston next week, though the Astros will likely keep an eye on his finger up until then.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Labors early in no-decision
Rotowire
Blanco did not factor into the decision in Friday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts over four innings.
Blanco surrendered a two-run double in the second inning and allowed another run to score on an errant pickoff attempt in the fourth. He was pulled at 88 pitches in his shortest appearance since being ejected after three innings May 14. The 30-year-old is winless in four outings since the All-Star break, yielding 12 earned runs across 19 innings while failing to log a quality start. On the season, he owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 126:51 K:BB across 128 innings and will try to get back on track in a matchup with the Rays next week.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Decent in Saturday's loss
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Blanco (9-6) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings, taking the loss versus the Rays on Saturday.
A two-run home run by Josh Lowe in the fifth inning was enough to saddle Blanco with the loss. While he's allowed exactly two runs in four of his last six starts, he has an unfortunate 1-3 record in that span. The 30-year-old continues to put together an impressive campaign with a 2.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 121:48 K:BB through 124 innings over 21 starts. His next outing is projected to be at Boston.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Fans nine in no-decision
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Blanco allowed four runs on three hits and three walks while striking out nine batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Saturday.
Blanco gave up at least one run in three of the five frames in which he pitched, though the final two runs charged to his ledger came after he departed in the fifth inning. While the right-hander's final line was mostly unimpressive, he did manage to rack up a season-high nine punchouts while inducing 18 swinging strikes. Saturday marked the first time in 10 starts that Blanco failed to complete five innings, though he's now given up four runs in each of his past two appearances.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Takes tough-luck loss
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Blanco (9-4) took the loss Sunday against the Rangers, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks with five strikeouts across six innings.
All the damage against Blanco came in the first inning, when Josh Smith launched a two-run home run. However, the Astros managed to score only one run until the ninth inning, sticking Blanco with the loss despite logging a quality start. The 30-year-old has been outstanding this season, owning a 2.56 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP over 109.0 innings at the All-Star break. Before 2024, Blanco had a career 4.78 ERA in 58.1 innings and had primarily been utilized out of the bullpen, making him one of baseball's biggest breakouts so far.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Allows two homers in win
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Blanco (9-3) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven innings to earn the win over the Marlins on Tuesday.
Blanco gave up multiple home runs for the second time in three starts, but he got away with it since both were solo shots. He's allowed more than two runs just once over his last six outings, turning in a quality start in four of them. The 30-year-old continues to enjoy a breakout season with a 2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 95:40 K:BB across 103 innings through 17 starts. Blanco could make one more start before the All-Star break, a turn tentatively projected to be at home versus the Rangers on Sunday.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Settles for no-decision Wednesday
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Blanco allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Toronto on Wednesday.
Blanco fared fine after giving up six runs (three earned) in his previous outing, though fantasy managers in leagues that count quality starts will no doubt be disappointed that he was pulled one out shy. That hook may have also cost the right-hander a victory, as he had a one-run lead when he was relieved by Tayler Scott, who promptly gave up a single to allow the tying run to cross the plate. While Blanco has posted a modest 8.2 K/9 on the campaign, his overall numbers are strong -- he's recorded a 2.53 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 96 frames.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Hit hard by Mets
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Blanco (8-3) took the loss Friday as the Astros were downed 7-2 by the Mets, surrendering six runs (three earned) on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.
It was a tough night for the right-hander, who served up multiple long balls for the first time since May 3 and got tagged for three for the first time in his career. Despite his struggles keeping the ball in the park, Blanco nearly escaped with his fourth straight quality start due to an Alex Bregman error, but he fell one out short and got the hook after 98 pitches (65 strikes). Blanco will take a 2.49 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 84:37 K:BB through 90.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Toronto.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Strong again in win
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Blanco (8-2) allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out four over seven innings to earn the win over the Orioles on Saturday.
Blanco wasn't as dominant as he was with seven no-hit innings last weekend versus the Tigers, but it was still an impressive showing. He's allowed just two runs over 20 innings across his last three starts after giving up four runs in each of his two outings before this stretch of dominance. The right-hander continues to thrive in his first full year as a starter, pitching to a 2.34 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 79:35 K:BB through 84.2 innings over 14 starts. Blanco is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Mets.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Hurls seven no-hit innings
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Blanco (7-2) got the win Sunday vs the Tigers. He did not allow a run or a hit in seven innings while walking three and striking out eight.
Blanco flirted with his second no-hitter of the season, but his elevated pitch count forced him out of the game after seven frames, and the bullpen would give up a hit the next inning. The 30-year-old righty mowed through the Tigers lineup by registering eight strikeouts in another impressive showing. Blanco lowered his ERA to 2.43, and he became the eighth pitcher since 1900 to have multiple games of seven innings and zero hits allowed in single season.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Dominates Giants for sixth win
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Blanco (6-2) got the win over the Giants on Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over six innings.
Blanco matched his season high with eight strikeouts. His lone blemish on the night was allowing a solo home run to Brett Wisely in the third inning. It was an encouraging bounceback effort from the 30-year-old after allowing eight runs and combining to strike out eight over his prior two starts coming into Tuesday's game. Blanco now owns a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 67:28 K:BB in 70.2 innings and lines up for an enticing matchup against the White Sox early next week.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Suffers first loss
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Blanco (5-1) took the loss Friday against Minnesota, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.
Blanco faced 20 batters, marking a season low, not including his May 14 start against Oakland when he was ejected after three innings for a foreign substance. The Houston right-hander also yielded a season-high four runs, pushing his ERA up to 2.44 overall in 59 innings. Blanco is tentatively scheduled to make his next start against the Cardinals at home next week.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Returning from suspension Sunday
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Blanco (suspension) will be added to Houston's active roster Sunday and will start in the club's series finale in Oakland that day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The Astros unsurprisingly won't waste any time reinserting Blanco into the rotation upon the completion of his 10-game ban. The right-hander threw live batting practice Monday and shouldn't face any significant limitations in his first start back.
