Yordan Alvarez’s Home Run Shines in Astros ALDS Game 2 Defeat

HOUSTON — The Houston Astros, who clinched the American League West division title on the final day of the season, are facing a tough challenge in the AL Division Series. Despite a strong performance from pitcher Framber Valdez in last year’s World Series, he struggled in his first playoff start this year and was outpitched by Pablo López of the Twins in a 6-2 loss in Game 2. Astros third baseman Alex Bregman acknowledged the team’s offensive shortcomings and praised López’s pitching skills, emphasizing the need for the Astros to regroup.

In past Division Series with a 2-2-1 format, the team heading home for Games 3 and 4 has won the series 67 percent of the time. The Astros, whose 12-game home winning streak in the ALDS was broken, will now travel to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4. They have shown strength on the road this year with a 51-30 record, including a 14-3 record in their last 17 away games.

Despite the upcoming challenges, Astros outfielder Chas McCormick remains optimistic, highlighting the team’s previous experiences in such high-pressure situations. The Astros will start Cristian Javier in Game 3, while Game 4’s starting pitcher will be either J.P. France, Hunter Brown, or José Urquidy. Catcher Martín Maldonado expressed confidence in Javier’s ability to perform under pressure, citing his stellar performance in last year’s World Series and his recent shutout in a regular-season game against the Diamondbacks.

Despite Valdez giving up a two-run homer in Game 2, Carlos Correa’s strong performance was a highlight for the Astros. Bregman, who has played alongside Correa for several seasons, praised his teammate’s consistency and resilience in the postseason. The Astros struggled to score against López, managing only one runner past second base until Yordan Alvarez’s eighth-inning home run.

The Astros’ starting pitching depth has reduced compared to last year, with the absence of Justin Verlander and the underperformance of Valdez and Javier. They will rely on Javier’s recent form in Game 3 and choose between France, Brown, or Urquidy for Game 4, with the possibility of Verlander pitching in a potential Game 5. Manager Dusty Baker acknowledged the team’s strength on the road but expressed the desire to bring the series back home for a victory.