Houston Astros: Comparing the 2005 World Series lineup to 2015 ALDS team

Middle of the Order

Oct 14, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena (18) celebrates with teammates Carlos Gomez (30) and shortstop Carlos Correa (1) after hitting a two-run home run in the 2nd inning against the Kansas City Royals in game five of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Batting Seventh:

Luis Valbuena versus Jason Lane

When you go to the World Series, you normally have players who have had career seasons. This was the case with the 2005 Astros for Lane, who earned the most playing time of his career playing in 145 games. Like Ensberg, Lane was out of baseball following the 2007 season at the age of 30. He played independent baseball and became a pitcher with the Sugar Land Skeeters, and re-emerged in the 2014 season with the Padres as a pitcher. Valbuena had a career season without having all that good of stats all around. Valbuena crushed his previous home run high with 16 in 2014 by hitting 25 big flies with the Astros. However, Valbuena was a streaky hitter who could carry you or lose the game in 2015.

Lane’s 2005 stats: .267/ 65 runs/ 26 homers/ 78 RBI/ 6 steals.

Valbuena’s 2015 stats: .224/ 62 runs/ 25 homers/ 56 RBI/ 1 steal.

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Batting Eighth:

Chris Carter versus Brad Ausmus

Who would win a home run derby between Carter and Ausmus? Probably Carter, but who can hit a big homer in a playoff game? Asmus, despite the lack of power, was a big factor in the Astros making the World Series as he hit the game-tying game four home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Carter’s status with the Astros is up in the air at the moment, which is why I wrote this: Reports are that Luhnow is fishing with Chris Carter as bait. Carter is one of the premium right-handed hitters in the game, but he tends to get into slumps for months at a time.

Ausmus’ 2005 stats: .258/ 35 runs/3 homers/ 47 RBI/ 5 steals.

Carter 2015 stats: .199/ 50 runs/ 24 homers/ 64 RBI/ 1 steal.

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Call to the Pen

Batting ninth:

Jason Castro versus Adam Everett

Everett was a defensive genius in his time with the Astros but had a career year in 2015 offensively hitting 11 homers. While Everett is not known for his offensive prowess, he could drive the ball occasionally with his skinny frame. Castro was a former first round pick by the Houston Astros hit third for most of the 2014 season year under Bo Porter as manager but hit towards the bottom of the lineup with the 2015 powerful team.

Everett’s 2005 stats: .248/ 58 runs/ 11 homers/ 54 RBI/ 21 steals.

Castro’s 2015 stats: .211/ 38 runs/ 11 homers/ 31 RBI/ 0 steals.

Next: Houston Astros: Reports are that Luhnow is fishing with Chris Carter as bait