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Tag: George Springer

Astros World Series or Bust

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in MLB.

By Tucker Stephenson

With the type of lineup and pitching rotation that they possess, it would make sense for the Houston Astros to start buying champagne in bulk.

The Astros closed the month of September as the first team in the majors to win 100 games and have already clinched the American League West division crown — their third in a row. But those are mere appetizers for manager A.J. Hinch’s squad. 

The main course is yet to come.

Expectations are sky high in Houston, which just became the sixth franchise all-time to post three consecutive 100-win seasons. The Astros have everything a team could want in a batting order — power, speed, discipline and plenty of depth. Houston also has one of the most complete pitching staffs in Major League Baseball. 

An already stacked group of hitters gained outfielder Michael Brantley in the off-season, and he’s rewarded the front office by batting .315 with an .881 OPS through Sept. 23.

Then there are the old reliables — Jose Altuve, George Springer, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa. All four have become household names nationwide and are as dangerous as ever, and when combined with Yuil Gurriel’s production, those five Astros could combine for 170 home runs this season. 

Houston Astros’ George Springer, right, celebrates his two-run home run off Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jose Rodriguez with Michael Brantley during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) Houston Astros’ George Springer, right, celebrates his two-run home run off Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jose Rodriguez with Michael Brantley during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

The Astros also have a few young guns in Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker and Myles Straw. Alvarez appears to be a superstar in the making with his unreal power, while Tucker and Straw have been able to add a little speed and situational hitting. 

The signing of former St. Louis Cardinal infielder Aledmys Diaz was also key, as the utility player helped the team stay afloat when Altuve and Correa were out with injuries earlier in the season. 

Houston’s pitching depth is almost as ridiculous as its batting order.

The rotation includes certified aces Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Zack Greinke, plus two solid hurlers in Brad Peacock and Collin McHugh. Framber Valdez was also added to the mix in August after being called up from Triple-A Fresno.

Verlander and Cole both have ERAs under 3.00 and are on pace to strike out over 600 batters combined in the regular season alone. The only real question mark at the moment is lefty Wade Miley, whose late-season slump could leave him out of the postseason rotation. 

Former Toronto Blue Jay Roberto Osuna has also settled nicely into the closer’s role after a few rocky moments last season stemming from an off-the-field incident.

Last year, the Astros simply ran into a better team that was firing on all cylinders — the Boston Red Sox. This season, the MLB’s most fully-loaded freight train appears to be departing from Houston, although the Yankees could be a potential roadblock. 

But the Astros have that covered as well if it comes down to a grueling seven-game series. Houston can lean on its core group that has been there before, including Hinch.

The expectation level has been set. Now it’s World Series or bust. 

Astros Springer Hot Streak cooled by injury.

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in MLB.

Astros fans had plenty of reason to be nervous when George Springer left Sunday’s game against the Red Sox with back soreness.

After all, Springer is off to a blazing start for Houston in 2019, as he came into this week batting .313 with 17 homers, 42 RBIs, 41 runs scored and an OPS of 1.050. 

Luckily, Springer’s MRI revealed no structural problems in his lower back, which means the budding star outfielder will dodge a trip to the injured list. Instead, he’s listed as day-to-day and could return for the Astros’ current series against the White Sox, which wraps up Thursday.

However, manager A.J. Hinch could choose to play it safe and keep Springer on the shelf until this weekend’s three-game set with Boston at Minute Maid Park. No matter what the decision, Houston can’t wait to see the 29-year-old back in the lineup launching “Springer dingers” at The Juice Box.

As of Tuesday evening, the Astros were in first place in the American League West and held a comfortable 8 1/2-game lead over Oakland. That enough is reason to believe that Houston won’t rush Springer — or teammate Jose Altuve — back too soon.

Of course, stellar performances are nothing new for Springer, who won the 2017 World Series MVP award while helping Houston outlast the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game showdown than neither fan base will ever forget.

But Springer has raised his game even more this season, which is reflected by the fact that he leads the American League in home runs, RBIs, runs scored and total bases while hitting in a deep Astros lineup. He’s on pace for a career year across the board if he can stay healthy, but a few days of rest likely won’t hurt him in the long run — even if he can’t wait to get back out on the field.

“I always want to play,” Springer told the Houston Chronicle’s David Barron when asked if he would be back in the lineup on Monday. “I’ll see how I feel and I’ll go from there.”

Springer’s production hasn’t just helped Houston win games — he’s also becoming a fantasy baseball hero nationwide. On Yahoo.com’s list of top performers, Springer ranked third overall on Tuesday night and was ahead of big names like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant and Bryce Harper.

Houston Astros’ George Springer (4) watches his two-run home run in front of Boston Red Sox’s Christian Vazquez during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Boston, Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Not bad for a guy making $12 million per season compared to more than twice that price for the newly-signed Harper.

If Springer continues his current surge, his contract will surely balloon, but for now, the Astros just want him back in center field as soon as possible. Once he returns and Houston moves closer to being at full strength, there will only be two worlds of advice for every team they face from here on out.

Good luck.