We'll see Christian Vasquez in specific roles as DH or pinch hitter. No telling how manager Dusty Baker will handle the catching duties, but Maldonado is likely to get the bulk of the work here. Infield (5): Yuli Gurriel (1B), Jose Altuve (2B), Jeremy Peña (SS), Alex Bregman (3B), Martin Maldonado (C) The decisions here should be a lot easier. Photo by Jack Gorman Setting our lineup if the playoffs started today. Maton and Neris probably won't be asked to pitch in high leverage situations with both Urquidy and Garcia available, but they make the most sense with their experience. With only one lefty that isn't named Framber, Smith is someone the Astros are going to put on the playoff roster. Relievers (7): Ryan Pressly, Ryne Stanek, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, Hector Neris, Phil Maton, Will Smith Ultimately, it will likely come down to the fact that he is a rookie. ![]() With the way he has pitched and the team's inclination to throw him out of the bullpen late in the season, it would be intriguing, but weighing his lack of experience against his incredible stuff is going to make for the toughest roster decision of the postseason. ![]() There are plenty of fans who would love to see Hunter Brown's name on this list. Long Relief/Piggy Back (2): Jose Urquidy, Luis Garcia The three and four spots are interchangeable at this point and you could consider piggy-backing guys if you get to a fourth game, but these are clearly your best four, which is saying a lot considering who you are leaving off this list. Starters (4): Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Christian Javier, Lance McCullers, Jr. This is going to be a tough decision for a five-game ALDS given the depth of talent in the rotation, but let's give it a shot. Setting our rotation if the playoffs started today. Fortunately, they won't have to worry about them until next season. They appear to be a team that is a very tough out for the Astros. ![]() Baltimore took two of three in Houston in August. To come out of there on the final road trip of the season with a split is a blessing. O's second baseman Rougned Odor was an absolute thorn in the side of Astros pitchers getting big hit after big hit. After losing the first two games at Camden Yards, unable to score a single run, the Astros came back with 11 runs in a crazy back-and-forth to win 11-10 on Saturday followed by a pitchers duel they blew open late to win 6-3 Sunday. We'll get into grading the regular season next week while we have five days to mull over which team we will face in the ALDS, but let's take a moment to figure out who might be in the rotation and lineup. The Astros need to go 6-2 to match their best ever record of 107-55. They have virtually no chance of catching the Dodgers for the best record in baseball. With just eight games left, the Astros magic number for clinching home field advantage in the American League is down to two. The Astros wrapped up their final road trip of the season in Baltimore over the weekend with a two-game split against the feisty Orioles after sweeping the Rays in Tampa.
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