Asher's latest start could be his most important

HOUSTON - This isn't Alec Asher's first start with the Orioles. So, why does it feel that way?

Asher made his Orioles debut on April 15 in Toronto because they needed a fifth starter. He got another chance on May 2 in Boston. Manager Buck Showalter kept sorting through his options - Asher, Jayson Aquino, Gabriel Ynoa, Tyler Wilson - while hoping that a six-man bullpen wouldn't be exposed.

Showalter is turning to Asher again today, giving him the spot that belonged to Ubaldo Jiménez. It's a chance to do more than bail out the club for one day. Maybe it's an opportunity to take the ball every fifth day.

Someone has to do it. Someone has to provide length and keep the team engaged and instill confidence.

Someone has to be the stopper.

The move may be temporary - we've seen Jiménez banished to the bullpen in previous seasons and work his way back into the rotation - or it may be Asher's time to settle into the role he's usually occupied as a professional.

"I was impressed when we first saw him in the spring," said catcher Caleb Joseph. "A four-pitch mix. But I've been really impressed by the way his stuff has played. Really, since he got here, I think his stuff has played up. I think he's got crispness to all of his pitches."

All three of Asher's starts have come on the road. He's allowed four runs in 12 1/3 innings, with two walks and nine strikeouts.

Asher's lowered his ERA from 2.95 to 2.17 by tossing 7 2/3 scoreless innings in his last four appearances out of the bullpen. Left-handers are hitting .208 against him in 11 games this seasons, and right-handers are hitting .250.

Showalter talks about how Asher is fearless, how he "ain't afraid" to take the ball and challenge hitters. He's not going to nibble.

Asher leads the pitching staff with five hit batters, two more than Mychal Givens.

"This guy, he's not scared," Joseph said. "He goes out there and he's going to compete. And I thought he showed a ton of poise and maturity when he got that start against the Blue Jays. It's not easy to do. People forget about that real quick. He went six-plus, was in control the whole time.

"I think he's got a very repeatable windup that allows him to continue to make his pitches. I'm excited to see what he's got (today). He's done really well since he's been here. One of those golden nuggets.

"I told him on one of the first days he was up here, I said, 'I'm surprised they (Phillies) would just kind of let you go. You've got too good of stuff.' But he's done really well. He's taken advantage of an opportunity and he's earned it. I expect him to do very well. I expect him to do the same as he's been doing since he's been here."

The matchup on paper won't favor the Orioles, with the Astros sending Lance McCullers Jr. to the mound. McCullers is 5-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 1.045 WHIP this season in 10 starts covering 59 1/3 innings. He's 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA in five starts at Minute Maid Park.

He's also been a pain to the Orioles, going 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two career starts. McCullers has allowed two runs and five hits in 14 innings, with six walks and 21 strikeouts.

The current Orioles are only 5-for-39 against him. Seth Smith is 0-for-9 with six strikeouts and Chris Davis is 0-for-7 with four strikeouts.

Mark Trumbo is 3-for-6 with a home run and four RBIs.

Right-handers are hitting .177 against McCullers and left-handers are hitting .248.