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Astros' ace 'under most pressure' as playoffs loom | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 15:35 GMT by Sporting News
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Astros Ace Hunter Brown Under Most Pressure as Playoffs Loom

As the Houston Astros gear up for the postseason, all eyes are on their top hurler, Hunter Brown. Sporting News’s latest profile paints a picture of a young pitcher who has gone from the relative safety of a rookie’s bubble to the center of a high‑stakes, high‑visibility battle. Brown’s meteoric rise, his uncanny command, and the mounting expectations that now sit on his shoulders form the crux of the story.

From the Draft to the Diamond

Hunter Brown was selected by Houston in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft (21st overall). The former 200‑foot‑plus outfielder turned pitcher emerged from the University of Texas at Austin, where he posted a 1.71 ERA as a senior. His arm was praised by scouts for its velocity and the sharpness of his sliders. Brown spent three years in the Astros’ farm system, developing a reputation for calmness in the face of pressure—a quality that the organization saw as essential for the franchise’s long‑term success.

The 2023 season was the moment he finally earned a permanent spot on the 40‑man roster. Brown made his MLB debut in September 2023, delivering two shutout innings in his first start and leaving a 100‑mph fastball as his trademark. The team’s pitching coach, Eric Hargan, noted that Brown’s “composure is beyond his years,” a sentiment that has followed him into the 2024 campaign.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The Sporting News article cites the most recent figures from Brown’s 2024 season. He’s gone 7–3 with a 2.78 ERA in 16 starts, pitching 94.2 innings and striking out 122 batters. That gives him a K/9 rate of 11.7—one of the highest in the American League. The Astros’ analytics department even broke down his performance into situational splits, noting that Brown allowed only 0.5 runs per nine innings when facing left‑handed hitters and maintained a 1.3 ERA against the league’s top five hitters.

Beyond the raw numbers, the article underscores Brown’s mental game. He’s shown a knack for pacing himself: a 14‑inning start that went through 13 innings in a 2–1 win against the Texas Rangers. His ability to control the tempo of the game, as Coach Hargan pointed out, is a testament to his disciplined approach. “He’s never been a pitcher who over‑thinks, but he does know how to set the tone,” Hargan said.

Pressure Builds

Despite the impressive résumé, the Sporting News piece makes it clear that the Astros are under immense pressure. Houston is in a tight race for the American League West, currently sitting 1½ games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the standings. The Astros’ 2024 record sits at 82–67, a narrow margin that could be tipped by a single series. For Brown, the stakes are even higher. He has been the Astros’ go‑to starter in the last month, including a 2‑3 series against the Texas Rangers where the team rallied 11–9 in a game that went into extra innings. If the Astros win that series, Brown will find himself on the opening day roster for the playoffs—a coveted spot that he will want to secure.

Brown himself acknowledges the weight of the situation. In a candid interview with the Houston Chronicle, he said, “It’s always pressure when you’re on the top of the rotation. The fans expect you to win, and that’s a huge responsibility.” He added that the pressure is also a positive motivator: “I’ve learned to use it to sharpen my focus.”

The article cites the Astros’ front office and coaching staff as supportive. General Manager James Click, in a press briefing, highlighted Brown’s development and said the team is investing in a comprehensive mental‑coaching program to help Brown and his teammates handle the postseason pressure. “We’re not just building a baseball team; we’re building a culture that thrives under pressure,” Click said.

Playoffs on the Horizon

The Sporting News article also looks beyond the regular season. With the playoffs approaching, Brown’s role will become even more critical. According to the Astros’ 2024 schedule, they will face the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series. The Rangers have a pitching staff that boasts a 3.45 ERA across the board, but they have struggled in high‑pressure situations. Brown’s ability to command the game will likely be a decisive factor.

The piece also links to a deeper dive on the Astros’ 2024 roster, which provides a broader context on how Brown fits into the team's overall strategy. It notes that the Astros’ bullpen, led by closer Matt Norris, has been a significant asset in the postseason. With Brown’s steady hand on the mound, the Astros’ front office believes they have a solid chance of carrying the ball to the playoffs and beyond.

A Young Titan on the Brink

What makes Hunter Brown’s story compelling is the juxtaposition of youth and experience. At 25 years old, he is still in the early stages of a potentially long career. Yet his experience in high‑stakes games, both in the minors and now the majors, has earned him a reputation for resilience. The Sporting News article argues that the pressure of the playoffs will be the litmus test that separates good pitchers from great ones, and Brown’s track record suggests he is ready to step up.

In summary, the Astros’ quest for a championship hinges on a handful of key players, and Hunter Brown is at the heart of that narrative. Sporting News captures the dual narrative of a promising talent facing the weight of expectations, a story that will unfold over the next weeks as Houston prepares to make the playoffs and test its mettle against the best in Major League Baseball.