Houston Astros ace Lance McCullers out for World Series

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 12: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros looks on in between pitches during Game 4 of the ALDS between the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in Chicago, Illin …

Lance McCullers won’t pitch in the World Series for the Houston Astros because of a forearm strain.

After a career-high 13 wins during the regular season, when he also had a 3.16 ERA and 185 strikeouts, McCullers got hurt in the AL Division Series. He pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a Game 1 victory over the Chicago White Sox but left after four innings in Game 4 with what the team said was forearm tightness.

MORE: Astros get Game 1 win over White Sox behind McCullers’ gem

McCullers, who was left off the AL Championship Series roster, said Monday that he and the team have known there was less than a 1% chance of him getting back for the World Series, but there was no need to write him off until they had to.

The right-hander said the type of strain he has usually means six to eight weeks before picking up a ball and throwing.

READ MORE ON THE HOUSTON ASTROS

"Tried to push it as far as we could, just couldn’t make it back to throwing," he said.