3 things the Astros must do to get back into the World Series

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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 22: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by teammate Jose Altuve #27 after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the 2019 World Series between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Astros hitters failing in the clutch

The Astros lineup has gone cold just when it matters most. They are just 3-17 (.176) with runners in scoring position through the first two games of the series after batting .268 in the regular season. Shortstop Carlos Correa is 1-9. Potential MVP third baseman Alex Bregman’s only hit in eight at-bats was his two-run home run in the first inning of Game 2. Leadoff hitter George Springer is 2-8.

In order for the Astros to have a chance to beat the Nationals in Washington, they must start capitalizing on their opportunities. In Game 1, they put runners on in the first four innings off Max Scherzer but could only manage two runs, both in the first inning. Again, in Game 2, they had two runners on in the bottom of the sixth of what was still a tie game before pinch-hitter Kyle Tucker struck out. The next inning the Nationals scored six runs with the kind of clutch hitting that has eluded the Astros so far.

Left-hander Patrick Corbin will start for the Nationals in Game 3, and he has dominated the Astros lineup in his career. Jose Altuve is 2-9 (.222) against him, while Bregman is hitless in four at-bats. Springer has had the most success, with four hits and a home run in six career at-bats.

The Astros offense won’t be helped by the shift to Washington. Playing in the National League park will force them to sit designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, one of the few Astros who is actually having a good series at the plate. Alvarez already has three hits in the first two games after batting just 1-22 in the ALCS.

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