Houston Astros: The unique weapon team has to compete with the Indians

The Houston Astros are primed for the postseason now that they’ve clinched the AL West. What’s a unique weapon that they have? Let’s take a look.

Houston Astros fans — it’s that time of the year and our beloved World Series Champion is back in the postseason, ready to defend the title that they won last year. The division race made the Houston Astros sweat a bit as a rough 14-12 record in August allowed them to relinquish their leadership briefly in the race for a Wild Card bye. But the ship has since been righted as the Houston Astros are 18-4 in September with five games left in the season.

Locking up the division is important because one needs to get every possible advantage that can be had to get that coveted competitive edge. The Houston Astros were able to clinch the AL West with the Oakland Athletics falling to the Seattle Mariners 10-8 in walk-off fashion through 11 innings. The team can breathe a bit easier knowing that they’ll have about a week’s worth of rest before next Friday’s (Oct. 5) ALDS opening game at Minute Maid Park against Cleveland Indians.

This team has so much depth all around the roster it’s sickening but in a good way. Most of this team has been brought back but the additions that have been made to the team — mostly on the trade front — have helped this team catapult themselves back in the saddle of ultimate supremacy in the American League.

But what makes the Houston Astros stand out against the Indians? I’ll tell you — it’s their bullpen. With the bullpen being of concern for the off season with the way it tended to crumble at the wrong times last season, Jeff Luhnow and his crew made sure it was a priority.

As a matter of fact, the Houston Astros have the BEST bullpen ERA in the majors, with a 3.02 to boot. In comparison to the Indians, their ALDS opponent, they have the 24th-best ERA at 4.50. This is where the Astros will hit their first-round opponent where it hurts because they won’t have the talent to go the distance like our hometown team can. The Indians better tack their runs on early because they won’t be able to do it late with has deep as this team is.

The Houston Astros better take advantage of it now because it won’t get easier to battle with either the Boston Red Sox or the New York Yankees — their likely opponents in the ALCS if they advance — as they’re No. 4 and No. 5 in the majors with a 3.34 and 3.54 bullpen ERA respectively.

Back to the problem that was at hand, the Astros gave Ken Giles as much rope as he could to try to right his personal issues of not being able to handle pressure situations but he kept finding a way to hang himself time and again.

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This prompted a trade made to be made with the Toronto Blue Jays to acquire the talented, young Roberto Osuna in exchange for Giles, and prospects Hector Perez and David Paulino.

Since joining the Houston Astros, Osuna possesses a 2.08 ERA while tossing 19 strikeouts, notching 11 saves and an incredible 0.88 WHIP through 21.2 innings pitched. So for the most part, this man has been doing his job and doing it with precision. He has only give up five earned runs.

Despite his ongoing bout to settle his domestic violence case from last year — as well as how

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does one feel about his innocent plea — the man remains focused and the Astros are doing everything they can to make sure he’s in position to succeed out on the bump.

This is a stark contrast to the absolutely horrific output from Giles — a 4.99 ERA, 17 earned runs and a 1.27 WHIP through 30.2 innings before being traded. He still had 12 saves on the season and 31 strikeouts. Since being traded to the Blue Jays, he’s put up a 4.58 ERA, nine earned runs, 1.19 WHIP, 12 saves and 19 strikeouts through 17.2 innings pitched.

It’s safe to say that the Astros cut him loose at the right time as he is what he is at this point in his career. He has not gotten much better despite new surroundings and the team would’ve suffered tremendously if the franchise would’ve continued to hold on to him.

Osuna makes this bullpen whole along with Collin McHugh, Ryan Pressly, Tony Sipp, Brad Peacock, Chris Devenski and Hector Rondon they likely individuals who will be in the bullpen on the playoff roster.

It’s such a relief to see the Astros clinch everything that was needed well before the last game of the season so that through these last few games, they can breathe easy and not have to worry about winning as much. But you know they won’t. That’s the mindset of this team and what I love.

I certainly wish all of that mindset would rub off on the guys playing for that other team with their home digs on Kirby Drive. Meh. Maybe one day.

Next. The ideal playoff scenario for the Astros. dark

Until then, I’ll be rooting for my Astros‘ success and be proud for the laundry list of accomplishments this team has put together through this amazing renaissance that they’re enjoying.

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