Dallas Keuchel Aiming for Houston Astros History in Return to Rotation

Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel returns from the disabled list Friday after a stay dating back to early June due to an issue with his neck, per Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle.

Keuchel has been effective on the mound when healthy this season, especially on the road. The 29-year-old southpaw owns a 5-0 record and has a chance to make history Friday with a win, potentially becoming the first pitcher in Astros history to post a 6-0 road record through seven starts in a season, per Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN Stats & Info).

Although his success has been limited by injuries this year, it's still been a nice resurgence for Keuchel following a 2016 campaign in which he posted a 4.55 ERA and just a 9-12 record. He has already collected nine wins and owns a 9-0 record overall in 2017, posting a 1.67 ERA that would lead the majors if he had enough innings under his belt to qualify.

While the Astros still own the best record (67-34) in the American League by a sizable margin, they certainly will benefit from the return of the team ace. Keuchel pitched well in his two rehab starts on his way back to the majors, allowing a combined one run over eight innings in two starts. 

Keuchel will take the mound for the Astros for the first time since June 2nd when he tossed six scoreless frames against the Texas Rangers. He squares off against a Detroit Tigers club that was swept by the Kansas City Royals in their last series.