Astros: Maybin stole the show while all eyes were on Verlander

The Houston Astros seem to have found a hidden gem in Cameron Maybin.

The Astros were in a tailspin after an 11-17 record in August after not making a big trade at the deadline. With their play in August, they gave teams like the Indians and Red Sox a chance for supremacy in the American League. On the line is home-field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

It seems like the Astros have had a comfortable lead in the AL West for a while. After the Stros got a ten game lead in the AL West on May 28th, they have not had a single digit lead. It could be argued that the team didn’t need to add any players for the playoffs.

Instead, they claimed Cameron Maybin off waivers and traded for Justin Verlander. Most of us were dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Verlander was the light at the end of the tunnel. Jeff Luhnow was going all in to bring a championship to Houston.

While Verlander got all the glamour following agreeing to a trade to Houston, he didn’t pitch until this past Tuesday. Maybin was in the lineup on September 2 for Game 1 of the doubleheader versus the Mets.

All about Maybin?

People like to point out that the Astros are 6-0 since the Verlander trade, 7-0 if you include August 31st. Maybe just idea that the front office would bring Verlander in got the team rolling. Maybin has had a big hand in the recent success since his arrival.

Jake Marisnick has nursed a sore groin, so Maybin has played more than he probably expected. He has started four of the six games and has had a hand in each win. As we discussed on this week’s Talking Stros, Maybin was brought in to be that speedy pinch runner in the playoffs.

Maybin and Marisnick are somewhat similar, both are excellent defenders and can steal bases. Marisnick is having the better season. When healthy, Marisnick may have a slight advantage, but Maybin is winning over Houston fans.

My wife claims that she is the president of the Maybin fan club. It’s not a surprise why! In his first six games, he has three homers and eight runs batted in. He had an unsustainable OPS of 1.146 after his .685 OPS with the Angels.

Next: Astros: How valuable is Joe Musgrove in the bullpen?

He was added to be the speedy guy off the bench, but he has shown that he is capable of more. October is creeping closer by the day, and the Astros are ready to win with Maybin aboard.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference***