%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201055.1%20200%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%201055.1%20200%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text%2Fcss%22%3E%0A%09.st0%7Bfill%3A%23231F20%3B%7D%0A%09.st1%7Bfill%3A%230E203C%3B%7D%0A%09.st2%7Bfill%3A%23EC4324%3B%7D%0A%09.st3%7Bfill%3A%23FFFFFF%3B%7D%0A%3C%2Fstyle%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Template%22%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Layer_2%22%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st3%22%20d%3D%22M58.3%2C200.3h82.4c12.4%2C0%2C21.7-1.5%2C28-4.5c20.2-9.6%2C30.2-26.1%2C30.2-49.3c0-3.2-0.2-9.3-0.6-18.3h-65.1v14.9%0A%09%09c-0.9%2C3.9-3.4%2C5.8-7.5%2C5.8H73.2c-5%2C0-7.5-2.5-7.5-7.5V59.2c0-5%2C2.5-7.5%2C7.5-7.5h52.5c5%2C0%2C7.5%2C2.1%2C7.5%2C6.4v10.8h65.7V55.7%0A%09%09c0-16.3-3.8-28.3-11.4-36.1c-8.8-12.9-24.7-19.3-47.4-19.3H58.9C47%2C0.3%2C38%2C1.7%2C32%2C4.3c-21.3%2C9-32%2C26.1-32%2C51.4v88%0A%09%09c0%2C16.5%2C3.6%2C28.7%2C10.9%2C36.6C20.1%2C193.7%2C35.9%2C200.3%2C58.3%2C200.3z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st3%22%20points%3D%22596.6%2C64%20596.6%2C0.8%20400.1%2C0.8%20400.1%2C64%20442.7%2C64%20442.7%2C51.3%20466.1%2C51.3%20466.1%2C148.1%20442.1%2C148.1%20%0A%09%09442.1%2C199.9%20554.8%2C199.9%20554.8%2C148.1%20531.5%2C148.1%20531.5%2C51.4%20554.8%2C51.4%20554.8%2C64%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st3%22%20points%3D%22942.4%2C148.5%20942.4%2C200.2%201055.1%2C200.2%201055.1%2C148.5%201031.8%2C148.5%201031.8%2C51.2%201055.1%2C51.2%201055.1%2C0.8%20%0A%09%09943.1%2C0.8%20943.1%2C51.3%20966.3%2C51.3%20966.3%2C80%20888.9%2C80%20888.9%2C51.3%20912.6%2C51.3%20912.6%2C0.5%20800.1%2C0.8%20800.1%2C51.4%20823.5%2C51.4%20823.5%2C148.6%20%0A%09%09800.1%2C148.6%20800.1%2C200.1%20912.6%2C200.1%20912.6%2C148.6%20888.9%2C148.6%20888.9%2C116.4%20966.3%2C116.4%20966.3%2C148.5%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st2%22%20points%3D%22315.5%2C83.9%20299.6%2C34.9%20283.7%2C83.9%20232.2%2C83.9%20273.9%2C114.1%20258%2C163.1%20299.6%2C132.8%20341.3%2C163.1%20%0A%09%09325.4%2C114.1%20367%2C83.9%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st2%22%20points%3D%22715.6%2C83.9%20699.7%2C34.9%20683.8%2C83.9%20632.3%2C83.9%20674%2C114.1%20658%2C163.1%20699.7%2C132.8%20741.3%2C163.1%20%0A%09%09725.4%2C114.1%20767.1%2C83.9%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
3 Concerns Astros fans have prior to the ALDS
The Astros have a lot of hope but some serious concerns get in the way
The Houston Astros took the reins of the American League West the last game of the season and their playoff bracket completely changed. Although there are a lot of advantages the Astros have as a perennial playoff team with veteran leaders, there are questions. This years team is different than years past and has had a very inconsistent season.
Since the Astros just took over as the American League West champions, they have some good momentum. Doubters thought they might not even make the postseason, let alone become the AL West champions but as Alex Bregman said in his post game celebration speech
“A lot of people were wondering what it would be like if the 'stros didn’t win the division…I guess we’ll never know”
The confidence this team shows is like none other and they keep grinding without a care as to what the pundits are saying. The concerns are real however, as the Astros are no where close to their typical win total, but is that a factor of concern or are there others, let’s take a look.
Concern #3 - Starting Pitching
The Astros starting pitching has been a concern most of the season as the Astros has two of their starting pitchers go down. As a result the Astros looked to young starters to fill the void and although the future looks bright for JP France and Hunter Brown, they are not the same as the spoil of riches the Astros have had in the past with regards to their rotation.
The addition of Justin Verlander was definitely a needed step and the Astros probably wouldn’t be where they are today if it wasn’t for JV’s leadership and consistent play in August and September. Outside of Verlander however the Astros best pitchers have been inconsistent and have not pitched their best.
Cristian Javier has posted a 5.0 ERA since August began and he went 7-4 over the course of that time. Javier truly struggled in August with a 6.17 ERA which he improved upon in September with a 4.11 ERA. Javier is in now way a 4.11 ERA pitcher and will have to regain his postseason magic of last year if he is to make an impact for the Astros.
Framber Valdez was the ace until Justin Verlander arrived and although he has pitched well he is showing a bit more emotion than you might like. August and September months combined he was 6-5 with a 3.75 ERA. That might not be too bad but for your Ace is is a problem. Valdez should have crushed it in September, instead of going 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA. Again that might not seem bad but it was against the the Royals 2 times and the A’s 1 time, with Texas and Seattle 1 time. Framber needs to be an ace this postseason if the hope to continue on.
Concern #2 - Hitting Consistency
The Astros have been streaky at best this season with run production. Their offense has pop but when it’s off it’s really off, hence the Royals series at the end of the season. The biggest concern with regards to their bats is will the non-superstar players give the big bats enough opportunities to have a big impact on the game.
The top four of the Astros order will be tough for any pitcher to get through but if the bottom of the order can’t produce it could spell trouble. Jeremy Peña’s sophomore slump could spell part of that trouble along with the unknown’s at catcher, centerfield, and first base. Jose Abreu finished the season hot so if he can continue that into the postseason, some of those fears will dissipate.
Yainer Diaz’ role is a big question mark as we know that Dusty will lean on Maldonado for the starting catcher role. With Maldonado hitting that is almost an automatic out at the bottom of the order and if you pair that with any player that struggles in the playoffs then opposing pitchers can cruise and get into a rhythm. Dubon can be good or he could be terrible as in years past but we do know he will have many chances to play.
Concern #1 Dusty Baker
The biggest concern was referenced some in the last concern but it is the decision making that Dusty Baker engages in. Baker has had a multitude of questionable moves this season and in the playoffs those decisions can multiply their effect in an instant.
Baker has a ton of postseason experience which should give the Astros an advantage but recently he had brought questions about what game decisions he makes, and on a regular basis. Looking back at the Astros World Series victory last year, the players really made the victory happen and Baker didn’t get in the way, although he was very close to it.
Imagine how Baker has played and positioned players this season playing out in Philadelphia last October. Would you have the iconic Chas McCormick “the catch” moment that we all loved so much last season as he saved the game for the Astros? I don’t think so, Dubon would not have made such a catch.
We will see what his first few lineups look like when the Astros start their series, but I can almost guarantee there will be a few positions fans will disagree with. Will Baker be a roadblock this October or a catalyst? I expect the roadblock will become a reality, but time will tell.