Houston Astros right-handed starting pitcher Peter Lambert has been one of the biggest surprises this season and has proven his dominance as a trustworthy arm in the rotation. 

The 29-year-old has compiled a 7-5 record with a 3.26 ERA and 74 strikeouts for the Astros this season. His changeup this season has been his primary swing-and-miss weapon, as it's generated a 38.5% whiff rate and he has held hitters to a .203 batting average. In his last seven starts, he has logged an impressive 2.75 ERA. 

Against the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays on July 5, Lambert picked up the win with another strong performance. He pitched 5.2 innings and gave up only three hits and one walk while striking out six and helped the Astros blank the Rays in a 2-0 victory. He limited the Rays offense to just three singles, and he produced 17 whiffs, including seven on the fastball and five on the sweeper.

His 17 whiffs were the second-most by an opposing pitcher against the Rays, showcasing how he's served as a vital contributor to the Astros' recent success. They remain 2.5 games out of first in the AL West and are one game out of an AL wild-card spot. 

Peter Lambert's consistency has fueled Astros' success

Lambert's Expected Batting Average (xBA) of .209 sits in the 84th percentile and it has demonstrated his efficiency with limiting offense this season. In a rotation that's been plagued by injuries and inconsistency, Lambert has helped to stabilize it. 

His widespread arsenal of six pitches has helped him to keep hitters guessing at the plate as he seamlessly mixes his fastball, effective changeup, cutter and slider. But his command has also been solid, as he has successfully painted the corners of the strike zone, making it difficult for hitters to generate hard contact. 

He has consistently provided quality starts, averaging 5.71 innings pitched per start this season, showcasing his ability to eat up valuable innings for the Astros. 

In his career, he has averaged 6.61 innings pitched per start, and he has pitched six frames in multiple outings this season, including a career-high seven-inning, one-run performance against the Detroit Tigers on June 17.