There are always reasons to feel optimistic about the Houston Astros heading into the postseason.
No other team in Major League Baseball has enjoyed the same level of success over the past decade as the Astros.
While the team may not have looked like their usual dominant selves at certain points this season, they remain a veteran-led squad with arguably one of the most talented rosters in the league.
But what could potentially go wrong?
There are a few factors that could lead to the Astros stumbling in their series against the Detroit Tigers.
First, Yordan Alvarez’s knee injury brings a lot of uncertainty to the lineup. As one of the team’s best hitters, his absence would be a significant loss, and it’s still unclear whether he’ll be able to play.
“Yordan Alvarez’s sprained right knee may prevent him from playing in the Wild Card Series and, even if he does, expecting him to be at 100 percent efficacy is a stretch, putting pressure on a pitching staff that has the AL’s lowest ERA since May 1,” wrote Chandler Rome of The Athletic.
Furthermore, with the Tigers expected to start Tarik Skubal in Game 1, Houston could be looking at a 0-1 deficit heading into Game 2. Skubal, the likely Cy Young Award winner, has posted a 2.39 ERA with 228 strikeouts over 192 innings.
Even though Alvarez is a left-handed hitter, he’s still managed to slash .362/.411/.517 with 10 home runs in 188 at-bats against left-handed pitchers.
While the Astros hope Alvarez will be fully healthy, that seems unlikely.
“Particularly if Alvarez is less than 100 percent, the Tigers will target their best arms for the top of the Astros’ order. The storyline of A.J. Hinch’s return to Houston could come with a heavy order for managerial chess,” wrote Cody Stavenhagen.
It may feel strange to question Houston’s lineup after their success in recent seasons, but Alvarez’s injury is a legitimate concern.
Beyond that, another key factor to watch is the production from the first base position. If the Astros lose the series due to issues there, the front office will likely face criticism for not addressing it at the trade deadline.
Despite these concerns, the Astros should still feel confident against a strong Detroit team.
