...
By Andrew Wright
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Help could soon be on the way for the Houston Astros.
Recent reports have indicated that Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez could soon be resuming baseball activities and ramping up for the remainder of the season.
One writer specifically believes that Alvarez will shape the American League West picture when he returns.
Read More on MLB
...
Brent Maguire of MLB.com has listed Alvarez as the biggest X-factor in the AL West for the remainder of the season.
"There's no shortage of X-factors in an AL West division that has the Astros and Mariners locked in a tie for first place with a 67-53 record, this after Seattle reeled off wins in nine of 10 games," Maguire wrote.
"If Alvarez -- who owns a career .959 OPS in 658 games -- returns soon, he can help ensure that Houston hangs onto the division, not to mention help the Astros make a deep playoff run," he wrote.
Alvarez did appear in 29 games earlier this season before hitting the injured list with a fractured right hand.
In his 29 games, Alvarez was scuffling a bit with a slash line of .210/.306/.340 and just three home runs in 121 plate appearances.
Those numbers are nowhere near his career slash line of .295/.387/.573, good enough to earn him three All-Star appearances, a Rookie of the Year award and two top-10 finishes in MVP voting.
More so than his performance in the regular season each year, Alvarez is known for his outstanding play in the postseason.
He has one ALCS MVP award to his name (2021) and had a playoff career-high six home runs in the 2023 postseason.
Alvarez returning at full strength could very well be the reason that Houston is able to secure a fifth straight AL West championship.
More MLB: Tigers Urged to 'Consider' Alex Bregman If He Opts Out of Red Sox Deal
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines