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Houston Astros vs. Red Sox: Assessing the roster changes for the ALCS

By James Zeankowski

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 08: The Houston Astros celebrate defeating the Cleveland Indians 11-3 in Game Three of the American League Division Series to advance to the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 08: The Houston Astros celebrate defeating the Cleveland Indians 11-3 in Game Three of the American League Division Series to advance to the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Astros have a pennant date with the Boston Red Sox. Here are the soldiers being lined up for this all important ALCS battle!

Many did not expect an ALDS sweep of the Cleveland Indians from our Houston Astros. However, it happened. Now, the spacemen are going up against another 100-plus win team in the Boston Red Sox for the ALCS.

Former Houston Astros bench coach, now manager, Alex Cora, has himself quite the stacked team. Nevertheless, so does A.J. Hinch. Once colleagues, now opposing managers, both Cora and Hinch figure to send out the best of the best from their respective teams.

Earlier today, Hinch announced to the Houston Chronicle who will be on the roster for this pennant series. Two important things are of note in this announcement:

  1. Joe Smith and Hector Rondon are in.
  2. Will Harris and Myles Straw are out.

First, the expected move. It was already long expressed that the bullpen would grow. It happens for all teams during the ALCS. After some recent controversy with Rondon, one has to assume that fences were mended on that one.

Smith, on the other hand, has been waiting patiently. The off season acquisition will finally get his

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due during the ALCS. Both he and Rondon should keep the relief core of pitching well on their toes against the bean town boys.

Hit or Run?!?

Then, there’s the surprising, but necessary, move to make. More of a sacrifice, if you will. Myles Straw, the speedster who got a shot during the series against the Tribe, will sit during the pennant run against the Sox. Additionally, Evan Gattis remains safe as the alternating DH and pinch hitter with Tyler White.

Specifically, this is the move that is like to stir up disgust among some in the fan base. However, I applaud this move by Hinch. As tremendous as Straw is, Tony Kemp and Jake Marisnick have enough speed to warrant using them as base running insurance for the ALCS.

Also, as I predicted on Twitter, despite his post all star break downfall, Gattis is too valuable of a power bat to keep off. He will likely be needed to pinch hit for either Brian McCann or Martin Maldonado late in a game. Or, he could also makes some starts in place of Tyler White against the tougher pitchers in Chris Sale and/or David Price.

Next. Tony Kemp should be the DH through the rest of the postseason. dark

All in all, the Astros will be ready for the Red Sox. It will surely not come easy. Regardless, the spacemen are all systems go, and this will be the better of the two pennant races to watch.

GO ASTROS! #NeverSettle

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