Houston Astros: Aledmys Diaz should be Carlos Correa’s insurance policy

Houston Astros infielder Aledmys Diaz should be carried on the postseason roster just in case Carlos Correa can’t go in the ALDS. Why? Let’s examine.

The Houston Astros just have two more games to go before it’s time to gear up for the postseason.  They’ve reached so many milestones this season, it’s hard to keep up with them but there’s no doubt that us fans are supporting them with each step that they take toward taking that damn crown back from the Boston Red Sox.

They’ll have to relinquish it anyway because they didn’t qualify for the playoffs but I’d like to think that part of this team’s goals is to snatch it from the damn BoSox!  It’s anybody’s guess whom this team will play in the postseason.

Tampa Bay may be of concern but the Oakland A’s have consistently played the Houston Astros well throughout the season and that might an ALDS that will be a grind-out all the way to the end.

Nonetheless, I can’t wait until next week, I’ve got my tickets to Game 1 and 2 and I’m excited to see what these guys can do in front of our home crowd!  It’s all about witnessing the rough road it takes to get to the promised land of EARNING that trophy!

But there’s an important storyline that’s going on right now with shortstop Carlos Correa.  For a guy that’s been dealing with injuries all throughout the season, missing a combined 137 games over the past two seasons.

If it isn’t his ribs, it’s his back and it’s anybody’s guess on if he’ll be ready to go when it’s GO TIME for the ALDS.  AJ Hinch doesn’t seem worried about it but I certainly am.

Just in case Correa can’t go, the versatile infielder Aledmys Diaz should be ready to take his spot if needed.  Abraham Toro is also a good candidate but with Diaz having the experience as well as the proven pedigree to step up when challenged, he should be the presumptive nominee to take over for Correa if he can’t go.

Diaz can defend, he can hit and knows how to get on-base which ultimately what matters for him to be an active contributor for this playoff roster.  It’d be nice to see him hit some homers — he only has eight to his credit — but there’s plenty of other guys on this team that can do that.  Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley anyone?

Diaz also has a .961 OPS with two outs and with runners in scoring position so to say he isn’t

More from House of Houston

• Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
• Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
• Astros-Twins Wild Card Series: 5 things to know as MLB postseason begins
• Houston Texans: The Most Underrated Sports Drought Ever
• Houston Texans: J.J. Watt’s early case for NFL Hall of Fame

clutch when the team needs him the most would be a false statement.

Moreover, it’s just disappointing to see Correa go through this as I’m rooting for his success as a professional ballplayer period.  Before his back started acting up again, he was on a serious tear after the All-Star Break where he sported a .244/.355/.611 slash line that certainly boosted his OPS to .966.

He also had 10 home runs in that stretch of the 25 games that he appeared in.  His second-half performance is a slight drop-off from the first-half but he would’ve been on track to consistently stay above the mark with his performance.

I fully trust Diaz in this emergency position and I think he’ll do just fine if he gets called upon to fill in.

We’ll have to see but go Houston Astros!

Diaz, 29, has a batting line of .267/.353/.450 for an .803 OPS along with 39 ribbies through 202 at-bats in 67 games this season.