Astros' Injured Slugger Labeled Biggest X-Factor In AL West
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Help could soon be on the way for the Houston Astros.
Recent reports have indicated that Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez could soon be resuming baseball activities and ramping up for the remainder of the season.
One writer specifically believes that Alvarez will shape the American League West picture when he returns.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 2: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros bats during a game against the Houston Astros at Rate Field on May 2, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 2: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros bats during a game against the Houston Astros at Rate Field on May 2, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.Brent Maguire of MLB.com has listed Alvarez as the biggest X-factor in the AL West for the remainder of the season.
"There's no shortage of X-factors in an AL West division that has the Astros and Mariners locked in a tie for first place with a 67-53 record, this after Seattle reeled off wins in nine of 10 games," Maguire wrote.
"If Alvarez -- who owns a career .959 OPS in 658 games -- returns soon, he can help ensure that Houston hangs onto the division, not to mention help the Astros make a deep playoff run," he wrote.
Alvarez did appear in 29 games earlier this season before hitting the injured list with a fractured right hand.
In his 29 games, Alvarez was scuffling a bit with a slash line of .210/.306/.340 and just three home runs in 121 plate appearances.
Those numbers are nowhere near his career slash line of .295/.387/.573, good enough to earn him three All-Star appearances, a Rookie of the Year award and two top-10 finishes in MVP voting.
One of the game's most prominent power threats
Yordan Alvarez notched his 4th straight 30+ HR season 😤 pic.twitter.com/C81Dx4Bn43 — MLB (@MLB) November 26, 2024
More so than his performance in the regular season each year, Alvarez is known for his outstanding play in the postseason.
He has one ALCS MVP award to his name (2021) and had a playoff career-high six home runs in the 2023 postseason.
Alvarez returning at full strength could very well be the reason that Houston is able to secure a fifth straight AL West championship.
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