Houston Astros: Three players due for a breakout in the ALDS

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HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 28: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros singles in the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on August 28, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Player #3: Carlos Correa

Carlos Correa has been the biggest enigma of this season. He has struggled consistently at the plate but his defense has been solid when he’s out there. His errors have become few and far in-between but the root cause of all of this is his health. I’m talking particularly about his back.

Correa may not actually be at 100 percent in terms of his viability but he’s available to play, doing whatever he can to help his teammates. But back injuries are no joke and can seriously put a damper on important things like hitting balls into to play and making the necessary turns needed

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to get guys out.

There’s something wrong but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I can certainly say it could be plate discipline — particularly strike-zone awareness — but it just may ultimately come down to rust. But how much rust has this guy accumulated to where it’s not already off by now?

His numbers are slightly climbing — he’s hit .250 with a .891 OPS over the past two weeks which is well above his 2018 season line of .239 with a .728 OPS. He might be on his way back but his 0-for-4 performance against the Indians yesterday afternoon is a cause of concern. Because of that, Correa is going to break out.

And you know what? I think it’s going to be during Game 2 today.

Against Carrasco, Correa has a slash line of .333/.429/.500 for a .929 OPS through six career at-bats. He also has been able to get one RBI and two hits off today’s opposing starting pitcher as well.

Although Correa’s line against the Indians is .202/.259/.411 for a .671 OPS through 99 career plate appearances, I think he’ll buck that trend and make us all proud.

I know it’s just as frustrating for him as it is for us to see him in this condition. He’s a terrific ballplayer and I want to see nice things for him.

Next. Astros vs. Indians: Analyzing the ALDS pitching matchups. dark

Will he do so? We’ll have to find out later this afternoon.

So these are my three players due for breakout. What are yours and do you agree with mine? Let me know in the comments section below!

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