Astros: George Springer Can’t Stop Hitting Dingers!

With yesterday’s sweep of the Indians in the ALDS the Astros offense looks more dominant than a year ago.

The Astros are led by George Springer who continues to lead the team at the top of the order. In other words, Springer can’t stop hitting dingers!

In the series against Cleveland, Springer batted .429 that included a two home run game in the series finale. His dominance surprises no one, and he will be the focal point for the Astros in the ALCS. Last year’s World Series MVP is used to stepping up on one of the biggest stages in sports.

The stats.

Springer keeps breaking Astros records, with his two home run game yesterday made him the 4th player in Astros history to have a multi-homerun game. He has 10 in his short playoff career which is the most in franchise history putting him above fellow all-stars Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve. He is breaking Major League records as well. Stats from Baseball-Reference.

He is now the 4th player in MLB history with seven homers in a 7-game postseason span, joining Carlos Beltran, Reggie Jackson, and Lou Gehrig. Springer is a career .294 postseason hitter with 10 HR, 15 RBI’s and a 1.007 OPS. There is no doubt that Springer can be the most dangerous hitter for the Astros going forward.

Looking ahead to the ALCS.

The Yankees or the Red Sox will be the Astros next challenge. Last night Boston had a dominating win going up 2-1 in the series and posting 16 runs on 18 hits that included the first cycle in postseason history by Brock Holt. Springer has faired better against Boston than New York, last year he batted .412 against the Red Sox in the postseason with a 1.180 OPS.

The Red Sox only have two dominant pitchers, Chris Sale, and Craig Kimbrel. Springer has a career .357 average against Sale and has four at-bats against Kimbrel and has struck out in all four appearances. The Yankees do have a better rotation and bullpen, and that’s primarily a reason Springer has a .183 average against them in the playoffs. I believe Springer will fair better against Boston than New York in the next round.

Overview.

Springer is one of the best players on this team and can be overshadowed at times by fellow all-stars such as Altuve, Correa, and Bregman. He is not always the spotlight of this team but when the team needs him the most he produces. His ability to lead the team the rest of the way will be the factor that determines if the Astros can be back-to-back World Series Champions.

The Red Sox currently lead in the 8th inning.