Six More Scoreless from a Steady Hunter Brown
A third straight quality start and the signs of a frontline arm in the making.
6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K — 98 pitches. 2.00 ERA.
Hunter Brown took the mound in Seattle and didn’t blink. Six scoreless innings on 98 pitches, giving up just two hits, no walks, and striking out three. That’s back to back starts where he’s kept the Astros in it, and once again, no win to show for it.
He’s opened the season with a 2.00 ERA across 12 innings. Just one walk in that span. The raw stuff has never been in question. But this version — the one locating, mixing, and pitching with tempo — this version looks like a front line starter and in 2026, he likely will be at the front of this Astros rotation.
The fastball led the way. He threw it just over 40% of the time, sitting 95 with strong carry. It stayed above barrels and helped him control the zone early.
Then came the knuckle curve. Same shape. Same bite. It didn’t rack up whiffs like it sometimes does, but it kept hitters off balance and changed eye levels all afternoon.
Everything else was in the mix. The sinker, changeup, and slider gave him options against both sides of the plate. The cutter showed up once or twice, but the focus was clear: work ahead, land secondaries, and pitch with feel.
Brown wasn’t overpowering, and he didn’t need to be. This was about sequencing and execution. He worked quickly, stayed in rhythm, and handled a Mariners lineup that had just knocked around Houston’s bullpen the night before.
If you’re the Astros, this is exactly what you need. Framber sets the tone. Brown follows it up with six strong. Through two starts, he’s doing more than just eating innings. He’s putting together a case as one of the most reliable arms in the league.
The command is holding. The pace is sharp. And if this keeps up, you’re looking at a legit All-Star campaign and Cy Young Finalist from a guy who looks ready to break out.