ALDS PREVIEW
Examining the key factors in Astros ALDS matchup against White Sox
Oct 4, 2021, 4:47 pm
ALDS PREVIEW
After winning their division over the weekend, Houston is set to take on the American League Central Division champion Chicago White Sox in the ALDS.
This is the first time these two clubs have played postseason baseball against each other since the 2005 World Series.
The Astros won the regular season series 5-2 and outscored the South Siders 35-21.
As playoff rosters are being constructed for both teams, here are some key players to watch when the Astros meet the White Sox in the ALDS.
Impact Players:
The Astros "Magnificent Seven" can compete with any lineup in baseball.
This offense led the league in batting average, hits, RBI's and runs scored this season.
They are top 10 in home runs and walks as well.
One of the best players for the Astros this season has been the American League batting title winner Yuli Gurriel.
The 37-year-old is the second-oldest player to win this accolade in either league behind Barry Bonds (38) who won it in 2002.
Gurriel, along with his teammate Michael Brantley, finished with the highest and second-highest batting average in the American League respectively.
Both players hit above .300 for the year, and have gotten on base consistently all season.
Yordan Alvarez supplied the power numbers this year, as he led the team in home runs (33) and RBI's (104).
The 3rd-year slugger played a handful of games in the outfield this season, and could be used in the field or a designated hitter in the playoffs.
Carlos Correa and Kyle Tucker had career years in homers with 26 and 30 respectively.
Finally, Jose Altuve is having a better season than he did in 2020 and Alex Bregman has returned to form since his quad injury sent him to the injured list back in June.
Here is what the postseason lineup could look like for the Astros.
2B Jose Altuve
LF Michael Brantley
3B Alex Bregman
DH Yordan Alvarez
1B Yuli Gurriel
RF Kyle Tucker
SS Carlos Correa
CF Jake Meyers
C Martin Maldonado
This is one of the best batting lineups in baseball and could be the determining factor in deciding a playoff series.
Impact Pitchers:
Lance McCullers Jr. (13-5) and Framber Valdez (11-6) have been a great one-two punch for the starting rotation this year. The former will start Game 1 on Thursday and the ladder will most likely take the mound Friday.
Valdez had some issues with command as of late and leads the majors with 76 walks, but is great at not allowing home runs, with only a 0.7 HR/9 on the season.
The White Sox have a right-handed heavy lineup, but his elite curveball makes him a great asset to have against these righties.
With the announcement from Astros' manager Dusty Baker that veteran pitcher Zack Greinke could come out of the bullpen this postseason, Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy to be the likely Game 3 and Game 4 (if necessary) starters. Jake Odorizzi could be an option out of the pen as well this postseason.
The White Sox rotation will most likely be Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, and Carlos Rodon.
These starters went a combined 2-3 against the Astros this year and look to be a formidable staff to face in the first round.
Impact Bullpen:
Although Ryan Pressly had an All-Star season this year, the Astros still needed to improve their bullpen at the trade deadline.
Houston acquired Kendall Graveman from their division rival Mariners, and Yimi Garcia from the Marlins, while moving Cristian Javier to a full-time relief pitcher role.
These corresponding moves improved the bullpen dramatically, and gave the Astros many opportunities to hold leads throughout the season.
Odds:
According to FanDuel, The Astros are -124 to win the series and the White Sox are +106.
Up Next:
The ALDS will start on Thursday at Minute Maid Park with the game start time still TBD.
McCullers will get the start Game 1 and will most likely face White Sox ace Lance Lynn.
Here is how the ALDS format will play out.
Game 1: Thursday, Oct. 7 at MMP
Game 2: Friday, Oct. 8 at MMP
Game 3: Sunday, Oct. 10 in Chicago
Game 4 (if necessary): Monday, Oct. 11 in Chicago
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, Oct. 13 at MMP
Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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