HOUSTON — It might come as a bit of a surprise that Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has just three career walk-off hits. But the truth of the matter is the Astros haven’t been good enough in recent seasons to be in position to win many games with Altuve at the plate.
Everything has turned around for the Astros this season, with team success affording Altuve ample opportunity to establish himself as a clutch performer. He lined the first pitch of his fifth at-bat into center field with two outs in the ninth inning on Sunday, scoring right fielder Jake Marisnick from third base and delivering the Astros a 6-5 win over the Tigers that clinched the series.
Whether the word “clutch” has any place in baseball given the inherent challenges that come into play when hitting a thrown baseball is up for debate. What is clear is the Astros believe Altuve will deliver when the moment is most critical.
“When I saw Altuve coming to hit with Jake at third base, I just put my glove to the side, put my bat on the rack,” said Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, who was in the hole. “Grabbed a bat just to show up but I knew he was going to do it. He’s the right guy for the right spot and we have a lot of confidence when he steps to the plate when guys are in scoring position to give us a chance to win the game, and he always delivers.”
The stats suggest otherwise. Altuve entered Sunday batting .250/.327/.365 with two outs and runners in scoring position and .267/.341/.347 in “late and close” situations. Those numbers run contrary to the belief his teammates have in his abilities when the game is up for grabs, with Altuve offering something Sunday they can call proof.
“That’s Altuve doing Altuve things,” Marisnick said.