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Houston Astros: Postseason Magic, the Bullpen, and THE Dynamic Duo

ByBrett Chancey|
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 13: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros celebrates hitting a walk-off solo home run during the eleventh inning against the New York Yankees to win game two of the American League Championship Series 3-2 at Minute Maid Park on October 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 13: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros celebrates hitting a walk-off solo home run during the eleventh inning against the New York Yankees to win game two of the American League Championship Series 3-2 at Minute Maid Park on October 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 06: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros reacts after a strikeout in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians during Game Two of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

The Dynamic Duo

When I think of dynamic duos, I think of Han Solo and Chewbacca, Batman and Robin, Spider-Man and Human Torch, Starsky and Hutch — the dynamic duos are endless. But more baseball-focused ones would be Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, even Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.

These all spark excitement and wonder in our minds. Usually, one is the main hero, and the other is a compliment or sidekick. When it comes to Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole they are 1 and 1A. There isn’t a weak link, and one isn’t the hero while the other plays a supporting role. That rings true in most 1-2 pitchers among the all-time greats. This duo is dynamic because they would be the ace on any staff.

Their lines in the 2019 playoffs are as follows:

"Verlander: 16.2 IP, 13 Hits, 6 ER, 20 Ks, 3 HRs, 3.18 ERA Cole: 15.2 IP, 6 Hits, 1 ER, 25 Ks, 0 HRs, 0.57 ERA"

Cole has become an absolute pitching assassin on the mound and with him going into the unfriendly confines of Yankee Stadium there’s nothing that tells us his momentum will be stopped.

Verlander needs to do what he does — rear back, throw high heat, create swings and misses, and be on target with his slider. He has the power to quiet the opposing fans even in Yankee Stadium.

This pair has been consistent, and with both of them being able to start another game and possibly be used out of the bullpen in Game 7, the Astros have a better than average chance to complete the job.

So here is a wrap on this topic the Astros need these 4 things to win more games than the Yankees in the 2019 ALCS.

  1. They need more postseason magic, its hard to come by in Yankee Stadium but it can be done. (Shortest RF porch in the MLB…we still have Yordan Alvarez)
  2. The bullpen needs to continue to pull its weight and be lights out, other than a couple of hiccup innings, they have to feel good about their chances here. (Still have a fresh Brad Peacock.)
  3. The Dynamic Duo will do what they have done and get high strikeout numbers.
  4. The Astros need Zack Greinke going into the 6th or 7th inning, this team could steal game 4 from the Yankees, or Game 5 when he pitches.
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