ATLANTA (AP) – His task accomplished in Game 2 of the World Series, José Altuve approached a group of Astros fans who gathered in right field at Minute Maid Park.
For five minutes, he signed autographs for the World Series show, No. 27 jerseys, and other items for the kids. A girl walked away with a ball signed by Altuve and smiled at her mother.
“I’m about to cry,” said the mother.
Altuve’s team was also delighted by what they saw of the Venezuelan hours before.
In an October Classic devoid of drama thus far, Altuve has been one of the few stars to come up with shocking hits.
Rebounding from his first three-strikeout game of his postseason career, plus an offensive slump in the American League Championship Series, Altuve hit a home run and a double in Houston’s 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves. Wednesday to tie the series 1-1.
But his teammates, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and Yordan Álvarez – the MVP of the series against Boston – were silenced. Freddie Freeman, Austin Riley and Eddie Rosario – National League Series MVPs – haven’t hurt the Braves either.
“They may be 0 of 20, but what if you hit a big hit? That’s what the playoffs are about, ”Altuve said. “I don’t care if I went 5-0 last night.”
As Dusty Baker, the Astros manager, summed it up: “My father used to tell me that it wasn’t a sin to have a bad time, it was bad to stay that way. Then he never let himself be down. “
After a day off, the series will resume on Friday with Game 3 at Truist Park. Venezuelan Luis Garcia will start for the Braves against Ian Anderson of the Braves. Both had excellent starts as their teams pitched well by sealing the victories these teams have at this point.
It will be the first time the World Series has faced two rookie starters since the first game in 2006.
That night, Anthony Reyes led St. Louis to victory over Detroit and young Justin Verlander. After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Verlander missed this entire season with the Astros.
At 23, Anderson is a postseason veteran. He has started seven times in two postseason years, going 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA.
“I am excited to be working with Ian in the third game. You will be ready to go. He has to pitch at home, “said Braves catcher Travid d’Arnaud, who hit a home run Wednesday.
The Braves are 5-0 at home in the playoffs this year and expect a noisy crowd.
“The atmosphere is incredible,” said manager Brian Snitker. “That’s why it was important to tie the series. What I mean, realistically, is that you want to win both, but if you can distribute wins, get out of here and come back. home where you can really be good, that’s positive. “
Altuve was key as the Astros split wins at home. A regular in the postseason, the stellar second baseman dropped just three hits in 24 at-bats against Boston and then hit the mark in Game 1 against the Braves.
His home run on Wednesday tied Bernie Williams for second place in the postseason all-time table with 22, behind only Manny Ramirez’s 29.
For Baker, what Altuve does should come as no surprise. It is also palpitating that the other Astros infielders – Correa, Bregman and Yuli Gurriel – will end up contributing.
“They have the expectation that things will work out well and that they will play well. They hope to stand out. It was something that I realized last year, “he said.
“We had several players who were doing badly and they told me to wait for the playoffs and we qualified with just enough,” he recalled. they have the quality to react when they propose it ”.
Altuve has proven it. In season 11, he averages one home run every 35 at-bats in the regular season. And in 75 postseason games, he has a home run every 14 at-bats.
Baker mentioned a certain slugger he coached in San Francisco and a speedy outfielder from Oakland.
“It reminded me of Barry Bonds. He is one of those who come out to say: ‘I’ll take care of it today’, and he does. Rickey Henderson would tell you: “I’m going to steal three or four bases, I’ll take care of myself to win this game,” Baker said.
“As I have said, it is not easy to find players like that, who have the quality and mentality to do it,” he added.