Lance McCullers Jr. Returns to Form with Dominant Start
Lance McCullers Jr. shines on Tuesday night as he reminded baseball fans why many have long considered him one of the game’s most electric arms. Going head-to-head with Pittsburgh Pirates’ rookie sensation Paul Skenes, McCullers delivered his second quality start of the season — and it was a gem.
The veteran righty pitched six shutout innings, allowing only two hits and striking out seven and walking only one. This outing earned McCullers his first win of the season and marked the 50th victory of his MLB career—a significant milestone after a long recovery from injury.
Comeback Trail: From Setbacks to Success
McCullers’ comeback hasn’t been smooth. After being sidelined since 2022 due to injury, he returned to face physical and emotional hurdles this year. His first outing of the season showed promise — 3 2/3 shutout innings against the Chicago White Sox — but the second start against Cincinnati nearly derailed him. He gave up seven runs in the first inning and threw 36 pitches before the Astros pulled him after recording just one out. The backlash was severe, even including death threats toward him and his family.
Yet McCullers didn’t waver. He bounced back against elite lineups from Texas and Seattle with grit and focus, inching closer to his complete form. His performance on May 28 against the Oakland A’s was particularly encouraging — he struck out 12 batters, tying a personal best last achieved in 2018. That outing also marked his first official quality start since returning.
New Pitcher with Same Grit
“I think after my first surgery, I was a different pitcher, and I had success,” McCullers shared after the game against Oakland. “After this surgery, I’m going to be a different pitcher and continue to find success.”
Indeed, while McCullers may no longer touch the upper 90s with his fastball, his ability to adapt is clear. He’s relying heavily on what he’s always done best: spin. His slider now makes up 33% of his pitch mix. At the same time, his devastating knuckle curve has become even more of a weapon — especially against left-handed hitters, generating an impressive 54.8% whiff rate.
Craft Over Power: McCullers Adjusts His Game
Though his velocity isn’t what it used to be, McCullers has embraced a cerebral, location-driven strategy to keep hitters guessing.
“It’s no secret how I’m going to be attacking,” McCullers told The Athletic. “I’d love to rear back at 96-97 [mph], but that’s not in the cards. So I’ve got to establish the zone with my breaking pitches.”
This revamped approach has paid off. Astros general manager Dana Brown praised the right-hander on Sports Talk 790, saying, “We’re 4-0 in his last five starts. He’s been throwing the ball well — 29 strikeouts in 20 innings. He’s been perfect.”
A Milestone Win, A New Clubhouse
Lance McCullers Jr. shines in his first win since September 2022, with help from Isaac Paredes—who once homered off him but now made a key defensive play. “Pretty funny how things come full circle,” McCullers said with a grin.
Looking Ahead: McCullers’ Future in Houston
With every outing, McCullers continues to redefine his game and reshape expectations. While the days of high-velocity dominance may be behind him, the mental toughness, sharp command, and elite breaking pitches remain.
His resurgence couldn’t come at a better time for an Astros team needing leadership and consistency in the rotation. McCullers could be a crucial piece down the stretch if his current form holds.
And for now, he’s proving that setbacks don’t define a career — how you respond to them does.