José Altuve is headed to his seventh straight American League Championship Series, as are his Astros, of course. One of the big reasons for the team’s streak – the reigning World Series champions – is what Altuve does at the plate.
In 96 postseason games since 2015, the Venezuelan second baseman has an OPS of .836, helping Houston win three American League pennants and two Fall Classics. In the Major Leagues charts, Altuve’s all-time playoff/World Series rankings are as follows:
Altuve stated that when the 162nd game of the regular season ends, the Maracayero “changes a switch” and focuses on the collective – which also translates to many individual achievements in October / November.
“We have to focus on winning,” Altuve said of the postseason mentality, as the Astros prepare for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Rangers on Sunday. “Numbers, statistics don’t matter. Nothing but winning.”
In the Division Series against the Twins, Altuve went 4 for 17 with a home run, in Houston’s 3-to-1 win over Minnesota.
“You know, the thought is always about winning,” said Altuve, who was limited to 90 regular-season games this year because of a broken thumb suffered in March at the World Baseball Classic, in addition to a strained left oblique. last July. “During the season, you have to make your adjustments not only to win today, but the next day. But here (in the playoffs), there’s no tomorrow.”
ALTUVE RUSHED TO TEXAS IN SEPTEMBER
“It’s like a completely new team. The playoffs are different,” Altuve commented when the subject was brought up. “It’s a different environment. “Everything starts from scratch.”
And speaking of the Texan rivalry, expect a hot atmosphere at Minute Maid Park in Houston and Globe Life Field in Arlington, about 3:45 hours away by road.
“They’re a good team,” Altuve said of the Rangers. “We won the same number of games (in the regular season, 90). So, it’s going to be a good series. There’s a lot of respect, a lot of good players on both sides. Maybe one of the best series ever we will play.
“There’s a lot of fans that come (to Houston) from Dallas and (go) from Houston to Dallas. So, there’s a lot of noise, a lot of pressure and a lot of support for their teams.
