Jose Altuve, Astros ready for playoff run again

HOUSTON – Jose Altuve and the Astros are in a very familiar place when the calendar turns from September to October – postseason baseball. The faces have changed over time, but the All-Star second baseman has been the one constant during the franchise’s Golden Era.

“We have to give credit to a lot of people here,” Altuve said of the American League West champions. “Front office, ownership, coaches, and players, we all talk about winning and don’t talk about anything else besides going to the playoffs.”

The Astros will start the best-of-three AL Wild Card at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday at 1:32 p.m. against former Astros manager AJ Hinch and the Detroit Tigers.

Winning mentality

In 2015 Altuve, the longest-tenured Astro, helped the Astros clinch a postseason spot for the first time since 2005. They have reached the postseason every year except one since 2015. Moreover, Jose Altuve has helped the Astros win seven AL West titles in the last eight years, two World Series titles and four AL pennants.

The Astros defeated the Yankees, 3-0, in the 2015 American League Wild Card game at Yankee Stadium. Houston missed the postseason the following year. Then the Golden Era of Astros baseball was established in 2017, when the franchise won its first World Series title.

Since then, the Astros have played the most postseason games (97) and recorded the most playoff wins (59) in Major League Baseball.

“I think the chemistry and relationship between us (is) what takes us to the postseason every year,” Altuve said.

October suits Jose Altuve

Altuve, 34, is considered one of the best postseason players in baseball. The Astros great has a .273 career postseason average with 117 hits, 48 extra-base hits, 27 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 89 runs scored.

He ranks second in home runs (27) and runs (89), tied for third in hits (117) and extra-base hits (48), fifth in doubles (21), seventh in RBIs (55) and games played (103) in postseason history.

In addition, Altuve has played well at home this season. At Minute Maid Park, the native of Maracay, Venezuela, finished hitting .299 with 21 doubles, 13 home runs, and 39 RBIs.

MORE FROM OUR ESQUINA

Astros make right move, extend icon Jose Altuve

Salvador Perez guides Royals on playoff chase

Astros manager Joe Espada: ‘Here we come’

The Astros drew a total of 2,835,234 fans this season. The Astros fan attendance ranked second in the AL behind only the Yankees (3,265,730) and eighth in MLB.

Minute Maid Park, known as The Juice Box, is an underrated environment during the postseason. Astros fans are in their seats before first pitch waving their orange towels, and on their feet to make it tough for the opposing team.

“The fans make this place better than it already is,” Altuve, the 2017 AL MVP, said with a smile. “They get into the game, they support us, they get really excited from the first pitch. I think that’s what makes this ballpark and the team more special during the playoffs.”

‘Big part of our success’

How many times have you heard “Don’t count the Astros out,” throughout this season? Houston fought through so much adversity with first year manager Joe Espada at the helm. Though, you have to give credit to the Boricua manager.

After a 7-19 start, Houston finished with the second best record in baseball with a 81-54 record and won the AL West division title. Espada is the third manager in franchise history to win a division title in their first season as manager of the club, joining Hal Lanier (1986) and Larry Dierker (1997).

From pitching pains, injuries, and offensive slumps, Espada kept his faith. He’s never panicked, nor had doubt about his team. Espada has watched players grow through the organization since his first year as the Astros bench coach in 2018. Now, players are seeing the same thing with their coaches.

“Amazing job,” Altuve said of Espada’s first year as manager. “We didn’t start the season off like we wanted to, but he’s been managing this team in the pressure the right way. He’s been a big part of our success each year and the reason why we’re here.”