ASTROS ROUNDTABLE

Why the Astros still need Carlos Correa

The playoffs get started for the Astros this Friday and it looks like Carlos Correa should be healthy and ready to go for Game 1 of the ALDS.

Having Correa's bat in the middle of the order gives the Astros a big advantage, but his ability to play defense is another element of his game that really helps the team.

โ€‹Charlie Pallilo, Jake Asman, and Raheel Ramzanali talk about Correa's impact on the Astros and how the team benefits from his presence despite having success this year while he was out of the lineup.

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Michael Brantley will start in left field in the finale against Seattle. Composite Getty Image.

It all comes down to this. If the Astros are able to come away with a victory on Wednesday night, they control their own destiny moving forward. But if they fall to the Mariners, they will likely have to sweep Arizona and get some help from the Rangers to have a chance at the postseason.

The Astros are currently a half game up on Seattle, but a loss tonight would push Houston out of the final wild card spot and give the Mariners a leg up.

How will Dusty deploy his hitters in the biggest game of the season?

Tonight's lineup is missing several key pieces to the Astros' offense. Chas McCormick and Yainer Diaz. McCormick might be out of the lineup due to getting hit by a pitch on Tuesday night. And Diaz's only shot at playing was hitting DH, with Martin Maldonado catching for Framber Valdez as he has done all season.

In what could be a silver lining, Michael Brantley has returned to play left field, with Yordan Alvarez sliding over to the DH spot. And once again Dusty Baker is sticking to his guns with Jose Abreu hitting 5th once again.

Let's hope Framber Valdez has one of his classic performances, because runs could be tough to come by if the top 4 guys in the lineup don't come through with big performances.

Let's go get this one! Go Astros!


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