3 reasons Astros can pull off the impossible in the ALCS

The Astros may be able to pull off the impossible against the Rays in the ALCS.

Carlos Correa hit a walk-off home run for the Houston Astros in Game 5 of the ALCS and a 3-0 deficit has quickly turned into a 3-2 series. For those who believe in momentum, the Astros appears to have it right now.

Game 6 is Friday and the Astros are appearing to come to life at the right time. Correa has been talking the talk and finally delivered with a meaningful moment. His big moment brings to mind some key reasons why the Astros may be able to pull off the impossible and come back from a normally insurmountable 3-0 deficit.

1. Postseason experience since 2017

The core of this Astros team has been together since 2017 and the team won over 100 games every year from 2017-2019. That span also includes a World Series win in 2017 and another appearance last year.

A losing record in the regular season became irrelevant once the team qualified for the expanded 2020 postseason. Add in Dusty Baker’s experience as a manager and the two straight wins make more sense.

This dugout does not appear panicked and Correa hitting a walk-off after struggling all series proves that.

2. Michael Brantley’s success at the plate

Michael Brantley is having an amazing postseason. He has at least one hit in every game except the Game 2 victory over the Minnesota Twins in the Wild Card round.

Brantley continued his success Thursday with two RBIs in the third inning to give the Astros a 3-1 lead at the time. He is not a part of that initial 2017 core, but has been playing at an All-Star level since arriving in 2019.

Brantley is also not a vocal player and doesn’t seem to be too disturbed by any of the 2017 cheating allegations. He just goes to work and keeps hitting no matter the opponent.

3. The collective success of the bullpen

Seven pitchers combined to hold the Rays to three runs on Thursday. This comes one day after the bullpen provided three innings of one-run baseball in relief of Zack Greinke in Game 4.

This is an amazing sign for a team that looks much different this postseason without Justin Verlander or Gerrit Cole to call upon for a big start. The entire pitching staff has come together to be dominant.

The Twins were held to a total of two runs in the Wild Card round. The Oakland A’s had more success, but their own pitching staff could do nothing to stop the Astros offense. Now the Rays have been held to no more than five runs in any of the five games.

So much attention when it comes to the Astros surrounds the big names on offense. But a few clutch hits from players like Brantley, Correa, Jose Altuve, and George Springer may be enough if the staff only allows 3-5 runs per game.