Houston Astros: Three keys to an ALDS series win over the Rays

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Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Avisail Garcia and shortstop Willy Adames, two key guys to watch against the Houston Astros (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Key #3: Steal a game at the Trop

This one will be a challenge. For whatever reason, Tropicana Field has not been kind to us even though we played a neutral series there due to Hurricane Harvey. But since then, the Astros are 2-6, which includes us going 1-3 in Tampa. What’s worse is that Houston has a .582 slugging percentage in the eight games since then.

If the Astros were to get ahead of the Rays 2-0, then they’ll have two chances to clinch the series and advance. However, if it’s either tied at one or if Tampa pulls out a 2-0 lead, the Astros will need to take a win in Tampa.

It all depends on what AJ Hinch does with his starting rotation. Game 4 of the series will be the big question mark should the Astros drop one game or two if they fall behind 2-1. If the Astros lead 2-1, the Game 4 starter might be needed and that could possibly be Jose Urquidy with how well he’s pitched lately. But if the Astros are behind 2-1, then they’ll have to rely on Verlander for Game 4 while Cole would get Game 5 should it go there.

Greinke will get the ball for Game 3, so he will have to be lights out. But also needing to wake up is the bats. Since 2015, the Astros have put together averages of .206/.275/.328 on their slash line. That has to change if Houston wants to finish off the series and move on.

Conclusion

In spite of all the challenges, the Astros will get from this Rays’ team, this series should help

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benefit the Astros. Getting an early test to start the playoffs could help benefit them for the rest of the way. The Astros will look to give Tampa a first lesson in playoff experience since the Rays haven’t been in five seasons.

Wild card teams have rarely made deep runs since the Wild-Card was introduced back in 2012. Of the fourteen previous teams to reach the LDS, only two have made it to the World Series with one winning it all while four advanced to the LCS.

But that doesn’t mean that Tampa will not want to beat us and advance to the LCS. They do have the worst odds to win the World Series while we have the best odds. So there is pressure on us to win.

Next. Astros: Projecting the ALDS roster against the Rays. dark

Having said that, I do feel like the Astros have enough to walk out with a win. It won’t be a sweep, but a four or five-game series at best. Let’s just hope I’m right in my prediction and hope we’re playing into next week.

Go Astros.

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