Houston Astros: Five Things We Learned From Last Night

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Five Things We Learned From Last Night

Oct 6, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) looks for the sign against the New York Yankees during the first inning in the American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Astros stuck with the game plan they had all season last night. Hit home runs and out pitch the opposing team. The youngest team in baseball went into the Bronx last night to take on baseball’s most prized franchise: the New York Yankees. Dallas Keuchel quickly got in his groove and then mowed down the Yankees lineup. Colby Rasmus and Carlos Gomez each hit home runs off the first pitch in their at bats versus Masahiro Tanaka. ESPN reported that the Astros starting lineup salaries added up to approximately $27 million. The Yankees have four players over $20 million in CC Sabathia, Tanaka, Alex Rodriguez, and Jacoby Ellsbury. Last night, we were able to learn five crucial things about the Astros moving forward this postseason.

1. Dallas Keuchel is One Bad Dude

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If you have been watching the Astros all season, then you are not necessarily learning this. Despite the votes already being cast, Keuchel affirmed why voters should hand him this season’s A.L. Cy Young Award. Keuchel went six innings strong despite short rest. Keuchel said in a post game interview that he prefers short rest over the extended rest, which could be a major plus for the Astros moving forward. Keuchel allowed only three hits, one walk, and struck out seven.

Keuchel has an opportunity to be this postseason’s Madison Bumgarner. Last postseason, Bumgarner put the San Francisco Giants on his back to lead the organization to their third World Series in five years. Bumgarner dominated in the one game wild card versus the Pirates. He then proceeded to start in two games in the World Series while also pitching for the save in game seven to earn himself the World Series MVP. Keuchel can have the same effect on Astros this postseason. His dominance on the location of his fastball, gold glove ability, and rise in strikeout rate can sit down some of the postseason’s best bats.

Next: Homers Still Get Wins

2. Homers Still Get Wins

Oct 6, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez (30) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the fourth inning in the American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The primary reason a lot of analysts don’t believe the Astros can reach the World Series is their low batting average and high strikeout rate. It’s a valid conclusion. Postseason typically brings the best pitching, which in return is not good for low contact teams. However, the Astros showed last night the home run ball can still get it done for the team. While it might not be how they can win every game, they can certainly create problems for opposing pitching staffs.

3. The Bullpen CAN Get It Done

Oct 6, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Luke Gregerson (44) reacts after closing out the ninth inning against the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Houston won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Despite Keuchel’s elite performance last night, Astros fans never got comfortable knowing that eventually the one game dual would be handled over to the struggling bullpen. The bullpen cost the team multiple wins over the month of September and pretty much handed the A.L. West Champion pennant over to the Rangers. Hinch first handed the game over to Tony Sipp. He struggled early on falling behind in counts and allowing a walk. But, Sipp kept his poise. He fought back in the count in multiple at bats to strike out one and shut down the Yankees lineup. You could easily see Sipp’s emotion throughout his pitching performance. Hinch then handed it to Will Harris and Luke Gregerson to retire the final six Yankees.

4. Defense is Critical Part of Postseason Path

Oct 6, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) completes a double play over New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (18) during the sixth inning in the American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

5. AJ Hinch Can Mange the Postseason

Oct 3, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch (14) looks on against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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Getting the right guy to manage the Astros had been Jeff Luhnow’s biggest challenge as a general manager. After the failed Bo Porter experience, the pressure was on to find the right guy to embrace the Astros methodologies and lead the organization towards winning again. After interviewing multiple candidates including the last manager to take take the Astros to the playoffs, Phil Garner, the Astros selected Hinch to take over the clubhouse. He was previously hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks as the manager in 2009, but was fired midway during the 2010 season. Prior to serving as manager of the Diamondbacks, Hinch had not coaching experience at any level. Despite being seen as inexperienced, Hinch was named one of baseball’s “10 to watch” in the next 10 years by Baseball America in 2006 as a General Manager. Hinch is due much credit to the Astros success this season and especially last night.

He did a phenomenal job last night leading an organization to its first playoff game in a decade and keeping a young team focused on what they needed to accomplish. Hinch went with power in his lineup putting Carter, Valbuena, and Rasmus in the game. He managed the bullpen well and put guys in a position to succeed.

AJ Hinch very well could be an unexpected X-factor for the Astros moving forward. Managing games is a crucial part of postseason success as we have seen from the Giants Bruce Bochy in recent years. The Astros have the pieces to reach the World Series and possibly win it. If they are able to accomplish it, AJ Hinch will be a large part of it.

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