The Houston Astros haven’t played since Saturday.
That’s what happens when you solve your best-of-five American League Division Series matchup in just three games.
They will take the field again on Wednesday night against the New York Yankees in a new edition of the modern rivalry.
The Astros knocked the Yankees from the playoffs in 2015, 2017, and 2019: the first one in the Wild Card Game and the last two in the Championship Series.
The Yankees are eager to get some revenge, but the Astros look like favorites.
Houston already released its roster for the ALCS, and it only has one change compared to the one they used to face the Seattle Mariners in the previous round.
“Astros add RHP Seth Martinez, drop CF Jake Meyers for ALCS,” Astros insider Brian McTaggart tweeted.
Astros add RHP Seth Martinez, drop CF Jake Meyers for ALCS. https://t.co/IdWcKeRghM
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 19, 2022
Houston took an outfielder off the roster and it’s bolstering its pitching staff with another right-handed arm.
The Best Roster, Top To Bottom
Of the teams left in contention, it’s fair to say the Astros have the best pitching and also the best offense.
Pitching is not an issue: they have two legitimate Cy Young candidates in Justin Verlander (1.75 ERA in 175 innings) and Framber Valdez.
They also have Lance McCullers, Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy, and Hunter Brown available to start, plus the great Cristian Javier as a wild card arm.
The bullpen is excellent, with Ryan Pressly, Ryne Stanek, Rafael Montero, Bryan Abreu, Hector Neris, and the ones who are left out of the rotation.
The offense, led by Yordan Alvarez and Yankee-killer Jose Altuve, is fantastic.
It also has Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Jeremy Pena, Yuli Gurriel, Chas McCormick and more.
The Astros are definitely well-equipped to make a run at the title.
NEXT: The Astros Outlasted All Other Members Of A 2022 Club
