The Astros Five Biggest Questions Before the Playoffs

For most of the last six year run of dominance, the Astros have rolled into the postseason without many questions. They've had some injuries here and there, but by and large, they've possessed a dominant rotation, overpowering lineup, and a shutdown bullpen on their way to deep runs in October.

This year that's not the case. While the Astros may very well make a deep run into October, they'll have to overcome some serious questions along the way.

Let's look at the five biggest questions facing the Astros heading into the playoffs?

Question 1: Who is the Game 3 starter?

Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander are set in stone as the starters for Game 1 and Game 2. Once Game 3 rolls around, it's anyone's game, no pun intended.

We made the case for J.P. France last week, but he responded with five runs in 4.1 innings against the Royals last time out. In his last five starts, France has an 8.87 ERA.

Hunter Brown has absolutely nasty stuff, and just had arguably his best outing of the season last time out. He didn't go deep, but Brown finished five hitless against Oakland, striking out seven. He was efficient, requiring only 78 pitches to do it.

Yes, it was against the A's, but that same lineup pummeled JV the night before. If Brown has command and doesn't beat himself, he's borderline untouchable.

And where does that leave Cristian Javier? He's had a nightmare of a season since the calendar turned to June, but he's the same guy that started a combined no-hitter in the World Series and was unbeatable last year in October.

Does Dusty go with his best performer this season, the nastiest pure stuff, or the most erratic with proven playoff success on his resume?

Question 2: How does Yainer Diaz get in the game?

Yainer Diaz is hitting .284 with 22 home runs, 57 RBI, an .847 OPS and 128 OPS+, and has been worth 3.1 bWAR. Yet he spends most of his time, especially since the return of Michael Brantley, doing exactly what he is doing in the above picture--watching from the bench.

Diaz has been one of the best and most consistent hitters in the Astros lineup. He's never going to catch Valdez or Verlander, but can you justify leaving him on the bench for two entire games of a playoff series? And likely more if the series goes beyond four games? Are we sure José Abreu and his glove throwing, and not to mention -2 DRS, is a better option defensively at 1B if Framber isn't catching? After not having worked with Framber Valdez one single time all year, can he be trusted as a pinch hitter if Valdez is still on the mound?

It's almost a sure thing that Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez will platoon left field and designated hitter for Houston in the postseason, as they well should. But if the Astros go home early giving valuable at-bats for two aging veterans that statistically are markedly worse offensively and defensively, there will be plenty of back of the baseball card questions to answer.

Question 3: Who plays center field?

That this is even a question is hysterical. Since the return of JV, the return of the "personal center fielder" has come back as well.

Mauricio Dubón was incredibly valuable the first two months of the season when Jose Altuve was out with injury. He's been a great utility player. But he is not an everyday starter in center. Since JV returned, Dubón has made 17 starts in center field after making only one all season before JV.

Why? His "arm?" Even if his arm is slightly stronger than Chas McCormick's, he's a worse center fielder. This is Chas McCormick making a five-star catch last night, in left field no less because of the ridiculousness of the personal center fielder, and this is the route Dubón took on a ball with an identical catch probability that brought home two runs. While last night's play was difficult regardless of the route he took, he cost Verlander a run again last week with an even worse route on this fly ball to center from Seth Brown.

McCormick is worth five outs above average this year and three DRS in center. Dubón is worth two outs above average and has zero five-star catches as opposed to McCormick's two. He's also worth zero defensive runs saved in center.

If McCormick is the better defender, the offensive differences should end the discussion right there.

Player A is hitting .284 with 20 home runs, 19 stolen bases, an .868 OPS and 137 OPS+. Player B is hitting .278 with nine home runs, seven stolen bases, a .720 OPS and a 97 OPS+.

If you've not been living under a rock, you know that not only is McCormick a better defender, but he's also Player A above.

He's been an all-star caliber center fielder all year, but because Dusty Baker doesn't like him, his playing time is erratic.

Last year Baker swallowed his pride and started McCormick in center in the postseason. Will he do the same this year? Or will he let the fact that Dubón is closer to a league average hitter than last season swing his decision.

Question 5: How much rope do underperforming veterans get?

José Abreu was supposed to be a centerpiece in the heart of the Astros order this year. He's been anything but.

He's hitting .235 with a .667 OPS. He continues to get RBI chances because he continues to bat in the heart of the order, but when the season is on the line, can he continue to start every day? And if so, can he continue to bat above names like Chas McCormick or Yainer Diaz in the lineup? Does batting him cleanup as Dusty Baker has done the last couple of days really give the Astros their best chance at winning a World Series.

Or what about Martín Maldonado? His offensive woes are well documented and his defensive free-fall has been a sight for sore eyes. But he will always catch Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez. Once starters leave games, could we see Dusty get aggressive pinch-hitting for Maldy to try and push a run across? Or to use Yainer's arm to neutralize the running game? If it's a game not started by Framber or JV, does Maldy get on the field?

While it's incredibly unlikely that Dusty Baker shortens the rope for either of these two, as margins get tighter and tighter throughout the postseason, his hand may be entirely forced.