NEW YORK - At this point in a prolific season, Yordan Alvarez is contending with the standard he has set. For instance: Alvarez owns a .919 OPS in August, which is almost over. It's his second-lowest in a month this year. It would also rank fourth-highest among qualified hitters for the full season.
Alvarez snapped a 12-game stretch without a home run Saturday, in the Houston Astros' 6-2 loss to the Mets. His only longer drought this season preceded his last home run Aug. 14. He has two in his past 119 plate appearances. He still leads the American League with 37 and the majors with a 1.048 OPS.
Therein lies a conundrum Alvarez inherits. The Astros' inconsistent and top-heavy offense all but needs Alvarez to be otherworldly - and he regularly has. Saturday, their lineup managed four hits. Alvarez had two of them and drove in both of their runs. His .320 average is second among qualified MLB hitters.
But it would behoove ***** ody for Alvarez to compromise his abilities by overreaching in an attempt to carry the offense. Alvarez is too disciplined a hitter, anyway, and at times opponents do not even offer him the choice. That more consistency is needed from others to complement his exploits holds true.
Alvarez entered Saturday seeing 41.4% of pitches in the strike zone in August, his lowest rate in a month this season, per Baseball Savant. His chase rate was also his highest, by about 4%, perhaps reflecting the occasional attempt to make things happen for a sputtering offense at the season's critical stage.
#alvarez #astros #second #lowest
Alvarez snapped a 12-game stretch without a home run Saturday, in the Houston Astros' 6-2 loss to the Mets. His only longer drought this season preceded his last home run Aug. 14. He has two in his past 119 plate appearances. He still leads the American League with 37 and the majors with a 1.048 OPS.
Therein lies a conundrum Alvarez inherits. The Astros' inconsistent and top-heavy offense all but needs Alvarez to be otherworldly - and he regularly has. Saturday, their lineup managed four hits. Alvarez had two of them and drove in both of their runs. His .320 average is second among qualified MLB hitters.
But it would behoove ***** ody for Alvarez to compromise his abilities by overreaching in an attempt to carry the offense. Alvarez is too disciplined a hitter, anyway, and at times opponents do not even offer him the choice. That more consistency is needed from others to complement his exploits holds true.
Alvarez entered Saturday seeing 41.4% of pitches in the strike zone in August, his lowest rate in a month this season, per Baseball Savant. His chase rate was also his highest, by about 4%, perhaps reflecting the occasional attempt to make things happen for a sputtering offense at the season's critical stage.
#alvarez #astros #second #lowest
2 months ago
