POST-SEASON PREDICTIONS
Here's a sneak peek at what the Astros post-season roster could look like
Oct 1, 2021, 11:51 am
Look for Jose Siri to make the roster. Composite image by Jack Brame.
correa-bregman-siri
With the Astros clinching the AL West division title for the fourth time in the last five seasons, it's time to try and predict what the Astros' postseason roster will look like.
It will be the first time in MLB history that the playoff roster will be 26 players deep. MLB added an extra roster spot before the 2020 season, but due to COVID, allowed 28 men on the playoff rosters a year ago.
There are four big questions when piecing together the projected playoff roster…
1. How many pitchers will the Astros carry?
With the Division Series playing a maximum of five games in seven days, teams could decide to carry less pitchers than what they would in the League Championship Series or World Series, which plays a maximum of seven games in nine days. With that said, I believe the Astros will carry 13 position players and 13 pitchers.
2. Will the Astros carry a third catcher?
This is something I was advocating for when rosters expanded in September, especially with Martin Maldonado being an offensive liability that the Astros pinch hit for late in close games. Garrett Stubbs doesn't seem to be an option for Dusty Baker or James Click though. He's had chances this season, the most recent with Jason Castro's IL stint, but currently the Astros aren't carrying a third catcher with a 28 man roster. I don't see the Astros carrying a third catcher this postseason.
3. Jose Siri or Marwin Gonzalez?
The 13th position player comes down to the exciting, speedy outfielder Jose Siri or the veteran utility man Marwin Gonzalez. With Michael Brantley's knee a concern, and the possibility he may not be ready to play the outfield soon, Baker ultimately decides that Siri is more likely to be used as a pinch runner or a defensive replacement for Yordan Alvarez.
4. Cristian Javier, Phil Maton, Blake Taylor
With two spots on the Astros ALDS pitching staff up for grabs, Javier, Maton and Taylor seem to be the last three in the conversation. Based on Baker's old school mentality of wanting to match up righties against righties and lefties against lefties late in the game, you have to figure Dusty will want as balanced a bullpen as possible. Taylor gives Baker a second lefty on the staff, which is something he will covet. Maton, who has reverse splits, has far better numbers against lefties than Javier does, and Baker has used Maton in more high leverage spots down the stretch while Javier has fallen out of favor. With Greinke and Odorizzi moving to the bullpen in the playoffs, Javier is the odd man out.
C – Martin Maldonado
C – Jason Castro
1B – Yuli Gurriel
2B – Jose Altuve
3B – Alex Bregman
SS – Carlos Correa
LF – Yordan Alvarez
CF – Chas McCormick
RF – Kyle Tucker
DH – Michael Brantley
UT – Aledmys Diaz
OF – Jake Meyers
OF – Jose Siri
SP – Lance McCullers
SP – Framber Valdez
SP – Jose Urquidy
SP – Luis Garcia
RHP – Ryan Pressly
RHP – Kendall Graveman
RHP - Ryne Stanek
RHP – Yimi Garcia
RHP – Phil Maton
RHP – Jake Odorizzi
RHP – Zack Greinke
LHP – Brooks Raley
LHP – Blake Taylor
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The Astros closed out their latest road trip with a winning record, a feat made more impressive considering the turbulence at the back of the rotation. Brandon Walter and Ryan Gusto both endured rough outings, with Walter in particular getting tagged hard. Still, Houston salvaged the finale, thanks largely to Mauricio Dubón’s breakout performance. The utilityman launched two home runs to power an offense that’s quietly been heating up for weeks.
But even with a solid finish, not everything is trending upward.
Josh Hader, who’s been one of the game’s most reliable closers this season, has begun to show signs of vulnerability. He’s allowed a home run in three of his last six outings. While his overall numbers remain strong, the long ball—a problem that plagued him last year—is starting to creep back into the picture.
As the Astros return home, the schedule offers no breather. They’ll face the Phillies and Cubs before a brief trip to Colorado to take on the struggling Rockies. After that comes a marquee series against the defending champion Dodgers in Los Angeles. With three of their next four opponents being legitimate World Series threats, the coming stretch looms large.
Can the bats keep pace?
If the last month is any indication, the Astros have reason to feel optimistic. Christian Walker has started to show signs of life after a quiet start to the season, hitting .260 with a .762 OPS and five home runs over the past 30 days. José Altuve has been scorching with a .302 average and .901 OPS in that span, while Jeremy Peña has taken things to another level, batting .384 with a 1.009 OPS.
As a team, the Astros rank 7th in OPS, 5th in runs, 3rd in batting average, and 7th in home runs over the last 30 days. It’s a surge that’s come at the right time—and one they’ll need to sustain.
The injury picture is also starting to shift in Houston’s favor.
Cristian Javier threw a 20-pitch live BP today in West Palm Beach. According to Joe Espada, he was up to 95 mph.
Luis Garcia should throw a live BP next week.
Spencer Arrighetti is still not throwing off a mound yet.
Yordan Alvarez has not resumed hitting.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 20, 2025
Joe Espada told The Athletic's Chandler Rome that Christian Javier recently threw a live batting practice session, touching 95 mph as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery. JP France has thrown multiple live BPs and could be ready to help if things continue to progress with his shoulder. Luis Garcia, however, remains further away despite undergoing surgery more than two years ago. He's expected to throw a live BP this week.
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) should be able to return in August, and Lance McCullers has resumed throwing and is currently on the 15-day IL with a foot sprain.
The Astros are winning. The offense is rolling. The reinforcements are on the way. But with a brutal stretch looming, the team’s margin for error is about to be put to the test.
There's so much more to cover! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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