Rookie right-handers square off as Astros face Pirates

Despite having their rotation decimated by injuries, the Houston Astros are on top of the American League West.

Due to the absences, rookie right-hander Ryan Gusto remains part of Houston's rotation as a sixth starter despite his recent struggles. Gusto will oppose another rookie right-hander, Mike Burrows, on Wednesday night when the Astros take on the host Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of a three-game series.

Gusto (3-2, 4.62 ERA) has bounced back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen since making his major league debut on March 31. He has made seven starts and 13 appearances overall.

As a starter, Gusto is 2-2 with a 5.83 ERA in 29 1/3 innings. As a reliever, he is 1-0 with a 0.93 ERA in 9 2/3 innings.

The Astros have lost multiple starters to injury this season, including Cristian Javier, J.P. France, Luis Garcia, Hayden Wesneski, Spencer Arrighetti and most recently Ronel Blanco to a season-ending elbow injury.

Gusto has provided Houston an additional option on the mound, but he has struggled to provide length since being placed back in the rotation in recent weeks.

Gusto, who will face the Pirates for the first time, has not pitched completed the fifth inning since April 23. In his most recent start, on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays, he went 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four.

"He's physical, he's strong," Astros manager Joe Espada said recently about Gusto. "He can do it out of the 'pen, and he showed he can do it as a starter, too."

Burrows' struggles don't bode well for the Pirates, who have continually failed to give their starters much, if any, run support this season.

Pittsburgh is coming off its 10th shutout loss in 61 games after a 3-0 defeat on Tuesday night. Pirates ace Paul Skenes gave up one run over eight innings and still took a loss.

Burrows (0-1, 8.64 ERA) was called up from the minors on May 22, and he is set to make his third start. His promotion drew questions from many as to why he got the call instead of the Pirates' top pitching prospect, Bubba Chandler. Those doubts have only increased after two rough outings.

Burrows has allowed four earned runs in each of his starts, and he lasted just 3 1/3 innings in his most recent outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 27. He allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits, including a home run, two walks and hit a batter while striking out two.

The Diamondbacks built a 6-0 lead before a rare Pirates offensive outburst led to a 9-6 comeback win.

In his first career big-league start against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 22, Burrows pitched five innings, but he allowed two homers and four runs in the first two frames, which ended up being too much for the Pirates to overcome in an 8-5 loss.

"Just not getting behind, getting strike one and going from there is the biggest thing, staying ahead of these guys and trying to roll through innings as quick as possible and be efficient," Burrows said.