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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Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer early and Jon Singleton had three hits, capped by a tiebreaking RBI single in Houston’s four-run eighth inning, and the Astros got a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
SAY HEY!!#Relentless pic.twitter.com/fqAiUHHdNh
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Brent Rooker homered off Ryan Pressly (2-3) with one out in the eighth to tie it at 2-all.
Yainer Diaz and Kyle Tucker hit consecutive singles with one out in the eighth to chase T.J. McFarland (2-3) and bring on Grant Holman. There were two outs in the inning when Singleton’s single to center field scored Diaz to put the Astros on top.
Jake Meyers followed with a run-scoring double before the Athletics intentionally walked Heyward to load the bases. Mauricio Dubón singled on a ground ball to left field to score two more, pushing the lead to 6-2.
Tyler Nevin hit a solo homer off Josh Hader with one out in the ninth before the closer retired the next two batters to end it.
Houston’s Framber Valdez allowed five hits and a run with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to help the Astros avoid a three-game sweep and snap a three-game skid with the victory.
La Grasa had himself a day.#Relentless pic.twitter.com/LvGeKBAoqA
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Oakland starter Mitch Spence permitted seven hits and two runs in seven innings.
Singleton hit a ground-rule double with one out in the second before Heyward smacked a line drive into the second row in right field for his first home run as an Astro to make it 2-0.
It was the third hit in 12 games with Houston for Heyward, who signed with the Astros Aug. 29 after being released by the Dodgers.
Jacob Wilson doubled to open the seventh and moved to third on a ground out by Nevin. The Athletics cut the lead to 1 when Wilson scored on a single by Daz Cameron that chased Valdez.
Bryan Abreu took over and pinch-hitter Seth Brown grounded into a double play on his second pitch to preserve the lead.
Lawrence Butler doubled with one out in the third to extend his career-long hitting streak to 20 games.
Singleton doubled again to start Houston’s fourth before Spence sat down the next 11 Astros. Houston’s next base runner came on a double by Dubón with two outs in the seventh and Alex Bregman grounded out to leave him stranded.
Trainer’s Room
Athletics: 1B Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist injury) is scheduled to come off the injured list Friday for the start of a series against the White Sox.
Astros: 2B Jose Altuve was out of the lineup Thursday, a day after leaving in the fifth inning with discomfort in his right side. Manager Joe Espada said he was feeling better Thursday and that he is listed as day to day.
Up Next
Athletics: LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 1.93 ERA) will start for Oakland against LHP Garrett Crochet (6-11, 3.83) in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox Friday night.
Astros: Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31) opposes LHP Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45) in the first of three games against the Los Angeles Angels Friday night.