Astros: Correa should hit leadoff, Altuve should hit third

While Jose Altuve is still off the roster and out of the lineup until early next week, the All-Star second baseman confirmed that he was the Houston Astros‘ player that tested positive for COVID-19. In his absence, Dusty Baker has tested the waters with multiple hitters at the leadoff spot, but Carlos Correa looked the most effective.

As the lineup performed well on Saturday, the Astros ran up 16 runs to the Los Angeles Angels‘ two. Of the starters, only Robel Garcia didn’t have a hit, while Houston touched grass or the outfield seats 18 times. This was the most explosive game all season, and this lineup model could be investigated more down the stretch.

Here is a possible lineup if Carlos Correa continue’s to leadoff:

While Correa was an option for leadoff in spring training, the right-hander finally took the reigns and has done his job of getting on base. The right-hander is 5-for-15 in three games in the one-hole, but with Correa most likely to get his first rest day of the season on Sunday, it will be interesting what way the lineup goes once Altuve returns.

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Possible lineup:

Carlos Correa

Michael Brantley (L)

Jose Altuve

Alex Bregman

Yordan Alvarez (L)

Yuli Gurriel

Kyle Tucker (L)

Myles Straw

Martin Maldonado/Jason Castro (L)

As Altuve has seen his fair share of career at bats in the three-hole, the right-hander could go back to his roots. The chances of this falling into place are definitely slim, but Castro having more at bats would have to deal on personal opinion from starting pitchers to defensive need.