by If the Houston Astros go all-in to win back-to-back World Series, the Yankees’ chances at a ring could be derailed.
Based on head-to-head play so far this season, there’s little reason to think the Yankees can’t handle the Astros in a possible postseason battle come October.
But don’t assume Houston will be the same team in the postseason as it is right now.
ESPN’s Buster Olney has begun to speculate on the idea of the Astros improving its one major weakness: The backend of the bullpen.
So the Astros could go after a late-inning reliever — if they identify someone in the market whom they believe has the stuff to step in as an October closer. Roberto Osuna of the Blue Jays might have been an option, but he is on administrative leave as MLB continues to investigate allegations of a domestic violence incident, and it’s possible he will face suspension. As written here last weekend, Kelvin Herrera of the Royals checks every box for contenders with his experience in various roles, and he still has not issued a single walk, but the Astros will weigh their own assessment of whether he would give them the needed bullpen boost and could engender confidence with the ball in the ninth inning of a Game 7. And there is the matter of the price tag: The Royals have leverage to ask for a high price, because there will be so few relievers of Herrera’s caliber available in the market.
If the Astros land, say, San Diego’s Brad Hand, Baltimore’s Zach Britton, Osuna or Herrera, baseball’s reigning champions would have almost zero holes. That would force the Yankees to keep pace (acquire a starting pitcher) in order to stay on Houston’s level.
Despite head-to-head success and a better record heading into play on June 4 (37-17 vs. 37-24), Houston owns a much better run differential (+122 vs. +78) and boasts the title of World Series champion.
A Yankees-Astros ALCS rematch could flip to New York this time, but Houston’s willingness to go the extra mile for a top-end reliever before the July 31 trade deadline could change things in a significant way.
Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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