McHugh (4-4) was a tough-luck loser Thursday, as he held the White Sox to just two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out a season-high eight in seven innings.

EDGE Analysis

Unfortunately, he had the poor fortune to be on the wrong side of White Sox ace Chris Sale's second straight complete game. This season has mostly been a total disaster for McHugh, but this was his best outing yet -- not just his best strikeout total, but also the best job he's done limiting baserunners while keeping the ball in the park. Even though he's still allowed four-plus runs five times in nine starts, which is a long way from cutting the mustard, this outing at least offers some optimism that things will be brighter moving forward.

McHugh's next start has been moved up to Thursday against the White Sox, the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros planned to temporarily use a six-man rotation, but Mike Fiers ended up throwing 60 pitches in a relief appearance Sunday. He'll now switch spots with McHugh, who was previously scheduled to face the Ranger son Saturday.

McHugh didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox, surrendering 10 hits, four earned runs and three walks over six innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old pitched to plenty of contact, inducing only four swinging strikes and giving up 10 hits for the third start this season. He also surrendered a homer for the fourth straight appearance, despite eliciting double-digit ground balls. McHugh also struggled with his control over his six frames on the mound, issuing a season-high three walks, and now has a 1.71 WHIP on the season to go along with a 5.58 ERA.

McHugh (4-3) allowed one run on five hits and one walk over seven innings Sunday, striking out five, to notch the win in a 5-1 victory over the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

His one mistake resulted in a solo home run by Robinson Cano, but otherwise this may have been McHugh's best start of the season. He's had an ugly beginning to his campaign, but he'll try to build on this win in his next start, Friday in Boston.

McHugh allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings in a win Tuesday over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh induced 12 swinging strikes and was nasty at times, but he was touched up for a pair of home runs. McHugh has a decent 23:7 K:BB in 27.1 innings, but hitters are squaring him up with ease this season. Opposing batters now have 43 hits and a .411 BABIP against McHugh in 2016. Hits won't keep dropping against McHugh like this forever, but his velocity is down from 2015 (89.8 MPH average fastball) and he is allowing more line drives and fly balls in 2016 than he did last season.

McHugh (2-3) needed 101 pitches to get through five innings in Seattle on Wednesday, but allowed just two runs on five hits and a walk en route to the win. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old hurler has been less than impressive to open the year, with one sparkling start against the Royals having been buried by four outings that don't inspire a ton of confidence. This one doesn't either -- if this is what qualifies as a good start from McHugh, he and his fantasy owners are in for a long season.

McHugh (1-3) allowed five runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings to take the loss Friday against the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh allowed runs in each of the four innings he pitched, and left the contest with a 5-0 deficit in a game the Astros would go on to lose. Aside from one excellent start, he's allowed 14 earned runs over 9.2 innings in his other three starts and his ERA has risen to 7.56 while his WHIP now stands at 2.10. He'll try to get back on track in his next start Wednesday at the Mariners.

McHugh (1-2) allowed four runs on 10 hits while striking out seven over 5.1 innings, but took the loss Saturday against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh was spotted to a three-run lead in the first inning, and after allowing a two-run homer to Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the sixth inning, he lost his chance for the victory. He's now struggled in two of his three starts, and his ERA sits at 6.39 with a 1.89 WHIP. He'll make his next start Friday against the Red Sox.

McHugh (1-1) defeated the Royals on Monday behind seven shutout innings in which he struck out four, walked one, and allowed eight hits.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh's strongest aspect is his control, and he pounded the zone Monday night against the Royals. He tossed 72 strikes against just 30 balls and threw first pitch strikes to 19 of 30 hitters. Despite the brilliant start, McHugh's ERA is still an ugly 6.14, as he failed to get out of the first inning in a disastrous first start of the season against the Yankees. McHugh has a 3.39 ERA in 358.1 innings over the past two seasons, so don't let that first start color your perceptions.

McHugh (0-1) only got one out in Wednesday's start against the Yankees, giving up six runs (five earned) on thee hits and two walks in the process.

EDGE Analysis

After a catcher's interference call put Jacoby Ellsbury on to start the game, McHugh completely imploded, loading the game with consecutive walks, then giving up two hits before getting his lone out on an RBI grounder by Carlos Beltran. The 28-year-old's first start of the season could hardly have gone worse, and it highlights the fact that McHugh -- despite coming off a 2015 in which he set new career bests in innings (203.2), strikeouts (171) and wins (19) -- isn't a high-end fantasy starter. He'll have better days than this, that's for sure, especially because the Astros should be good; still, we shouldn't count on him rediscovering the strikeout-per-inning form he flashed out of nowhere two years ago.