Astros' Joe Musgrove dominating as a reliever

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In early July, with the Astros playing in Toronto, Joe Musgrove, for the first time, confidently said he could transition well to the bullpen.

He threw it out as a suggestion, a metaphoric lifesaver tossed out to keep him afloat on a team lined up for the postseason, where relief pitching recently has determined championship runs.

For years Musgrove, 24, has been projected as a promising 6-5 starter, but his inconsistency this season combined with the return of Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh crowded him out of the rotation.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch cautioned during the Blue Jays series that Musgrove was campaigning. Hinch had not yet decided to move Musgrove. Musgrove had yet to prove he belonged in the pen.

Now, with August nearly over, Musgrove has emerged as Hinch's most reliable late-inning weapon. Since his transition to the bullpen on July 22, Musgrove has given up one earned run, two walks and struck out 18 batters in 16 1/3 innings. He has held hitters to a .158 average.

He entered Thursday's finale against the Nationals with an 11 1/3 scoreless innings streak this month.

PHOTOS: Astros game-by-game Joe Musgrove entered Thursday's finale against the Nationals with an 11 1/3 scoreless innings streak in August. Browse through the photos to see how the Astros have fared through each game this season less PHOTOS: Astros game-by-game Joe Musgrove entered Thursday's finale against the Nationals with an 11 1/3 scoreless innings streak in August. Browse through the photos to see how the Astros have fared through each ... more Photo: Gail Burton/AP Photo: Gail Burton/AP Image 1 of / 245 Caption Close Astros' Joe Musgrove dominating as a reliever 1 / 245 Back to Gallery

"There's no concern about having to plan out a longer approach," Musgrove said of his transition. "It's about coming in and being nasty for an inning. You're not going to face these guys two or three times. You show them your best stuff right away."

The velocity of his fastball has surpassed 96 mph and slider 85 mph, with more vertical movement.

"His velocity's up," Hinch said. "His breaking ball's better. His aggressiveness is much better in the strike zone. He's come up with a cutter that's been good against lefties. Everything across the board has gotten better. He's embraced it."

Hinch said the new role has inspired "renewed energy" in Musgrove.

"You never react better than when you're thrown out in traffic," Musgrove said of the adrenaline rush. "There's a few key points as a starter where you have to make your pitches. Out of the bullpen, you're thrown into that immediately."

Musgrove has proved especially valuable lately. Will Harris has been out since July 5 with a bone bruise in his shoulder and All-Star Chris Devenski, the usual go-to choice for high-leverage innings, has lost his elite effectiveness. Musgrove is filling in where Harris would have pitched and offering Devenski the chance for more rest before the playoffs.

Musgrove, a brainy pitcher that tinkers more than most, used to work with an arsenal of five, sometimes six pitches. He's benefited from a simpler fastball-slider approach.

"The confidence comes with the success," he said.

Hinch was asked if Musgrove's development should be focused on becoming a full-time reliever.

"I'm not sure if it needs to be decided for the future because he can start, but his best contribution for us right now will be in the pen," Hinch said.