Astros: 3 changes Dusty Baker must make before Game 2

Move up Kyle Tucker in batting order

If Game 1 of the World Series showed anything, it is that outfielder Kyle Tucker needs to move up in the batting order.

Tucker was the majority of Houston’s offense in Game 6 of the ALCS. While he did ground into a double play in the bottom of the sixth, that allowed designated hitter Yordan Alvarez to score at home, then hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The right fielder batted sixth in the lineup on Tuesday night, where he was 2-for-3 at the plate. Meanwhile, the three batters ahead of him (Alex Bregman, Alvarez, Carlos Correa) accounted for one hit in 10 at-bats on the night.

It is time to Baker to put Tucker in a more meaningful spot in the batting order.

Start Jason Castro at catcher for hitting purposes

When it comes to the Astros, they do have a problem at the No. 9 spot in the batting order.

Catcher Martin Maldonado has basically been an instant out throughout Houston’s postseason run. Entering Game 1, Maldonado had gone 2-for-29 at the plate, where he knocked in just one run, struck out 10 times and walked once. On Tuesday, Maldonado went 0-for-2 with one strikeout.

Backup catcher Jason Castro has shown thus far that he is a way better producer in the batter’s box than Maldonado. In five at-bats entering Game 1, Castros recorded including a solo home run in Game 2 of the ALCS.

The Astros are obviously confident in Castro’s defensive abilities, since he entered Game 1 in the seventh inning. Baker should consider making Castro the starter for here on out, for hitting purposes.