Three Reasons the Houston Astros are in the Drivers Seat of the ALDS

Reason 1: Home field advantage

Aug 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Fans celebrate after Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (not pictured) makes a fielding play against the Seattle Mariners in the second inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros technically have home field advantage at this point versus the Royals, with three games remaining, the Astros play two of them at home. Home is the place with the train in the outfield filled with fake oranges, a hill in the outfield that’s time is ending, and the crowd full of mostly orange or navy blue shirts or jerseys filled with H-Town Pride! While the Astros’ fans have not really been there all year-long because the team needed to work its way back into the circle of trust for Houston after three years of having the number one picks. I think winning the Wild-Card game versus the Yankees have opened the eyes of Houston back to baseball.

The Astros finished the season 22nd in baseball in attendance with an average of 26,587 fans per game. Despite the low attendance figures, Minute Maid Park has been a great place for the Astros in 2015. According the ESPN’s standings, the Astros finished tied for the best home record with the Blue Jays at a 53-28 mark. The Astros seem to be more comfortable at MMP as the AL leading team in ERA posted a 3.22 mark at home and 3.95 ERA on the road. The Astros pitchers average a strikeout more a game at home (8.5) versus the road (7.5), so something about Houston gives the Astros the extra motivation.

As I wrote recently, Morgan Ensberg said that the Astros’ fans need to drink plenty of Red Bull prior to the game and rock MMP in Sunday’s game. These young Astros players need the same support that the 2005 Astros received during their deep run into the playoffs. You can read the full piece here: Houston Astros: The Players Need Fans’ Support, Be Loud!

Also, we need to make MMP look like as sea of orange and navy blue shirts like we saw from the royal blue stands we witnessed at Kaufman Stadium the past two games. Get off your phone unless you are communicating with @astrosCTH through Twitter and stand up and be loud. When the roof is closed, it is an unbelievable experience. Remember the Albert Pujols home run off Brad Lidge, the crowd was so loud and then died immediately when the ball was hit.

Next: Reason 2: Dallas Keuchel