ALDS PREVIEW
Examining the key factors in Astros ALDS matchup against White Sox
Oct 4, 2021, 4:47 pm
Composite image by Jack Brame
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
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Expectations
The Texans are favored to win the AFC South for a third straight season with a team led by young stars quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson. Stroud’s strong first two years helped the Texans turn things around and this year they’ll try to reach the playoffs in three straight seasons for the first time in franchise history. Stroud will be directing a new offense led by first-time offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who took over after Bobby Slowik was fired this offseason following Houston’s loss to the Chiefs in the divisional round. General manager Nick Caserio also beefed up the team’s receiving corps, led by Nico Collins, by adding veteran Christian Kirk and drafting Jayden Higgins in the second round and Jaylin Noel in the third. Coach DeMeco Ryans has vowed the offensive line will be better this season after Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, which was second-most in the league. But it’s difficult to see how his protection will be better after they traded left tackle Laremy Tunsil and didn’t make any big moves to replace him. Defensively, Anderson should take another step forward in his second year playing with veteran Danielle Hunter after the third-overall pick in the 2023 draft had 17 sacks combined in his first two seasons. Cornerback Derek Stingley returns to lead a talented young secondary after earning first team AP All-Pro honors last season when he had five interceptions and defended 18 passes.
New faces
OC Nick Caley, WR Jayden Higgins, WR Christian Kirk, WR Jaylin Noel, LT Cam Robinson, RB Nick Chubb, RT Aireontae Ersery, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Jake Andrews.
Key losses
LT Laremy Tunsil, WR John Metchie III, G Kenyon Green, TE Brevin Jordan, CB Eric Murray, WR Robert Woods, CB Kris Boyd.
Strengths
Stroud and Houston’s stacked receiving group should be the stars of the team this season. The 2023 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year has been great in his first two seasons to bring the Texans back into contention after an awful stretch. His interception rate was up last season but he’s looking for improvement this season in Caley’s offense, which he has described as “exciting.” He’ll have plenty of strong targets to throw to, led by Collins, who had a second straight 1,000-yard season last year despite missing five games with injuries. He’ll be joined by Kirk, who should fill in at the slot with Tank Dell likely to miss all season recovering from an injury he suffered in December. Higgins and Noel come to Houston after combining for 2,377 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns last season at Iowa State.
Weaknesses
It’s hard to see how the offensive line will be improved this season with Tunsil gone to Washington. Though he was penalty-prone, he was the team’s most consistent lineman. They completely revamped the line after his trade and return just one starter from last year’s group. They’ll likely rely on rookie Ersery to protect Stroud’s blind side after taking him in the second round of the draft. He started 38 games at left tackle over three seasons at Minnesota. Veteran Tytus Howard returns at right tackle after starting 16 games there last season. The center is Jake Andrews in his first year in Houston and he returns after missing all of last season with an injury before being released by the Patriots. Left guard Laken Tomlinson and right guard Ed Ingram are also new to the team.
Camp development
Houston’s secondary sustained a big blow in camp when safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a leg injury. The injury isn’t season-ending but he is likely to miss significant time. Gardner-Johnson is in his first year in Houston after he was acquired from the Eagles in March in exchange for left guard Kenyon Green. He was expected to be the team’s starting free safety after the Texans lost Eric Murray in free agency to the Jaguars. The Texans will also be without backup Jimmie Ward indefinitely after he was placed on the commissioner exempt list Tuesday as he faces a felony domestic violence charge after a June arrest.
Fantasy player to watch
Collins should have another big year after finishing with more than 1,000 yards receiving in each of the last two seasons. He’s had 15 touchdowns combined in the last two seasons despite missing seven games with injuries.
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Win Super Bowl: 35-1.