Yordan

Alvarez

No real changes for the Astros, with the exception of Alvarez heading out to left field with Isaac Paredes moving to DH and Nick Allen entering at third base, as they try to stave off elimination and force a decisive Game 3 showdown. Here’s the full lineup: Jeremy Peña (SS), Alvarez (LF), Paredes (DH), Jose Altuve (2B), Yainer Diaz (C), Christian Walker (1B), Lucas Spence (CF), Cam Smith (RF) and Allen (3B).

There’s been some speculation that the Astros might give Altuve some DH time in the series, with Yordan Alvarez playing left, but that’s not happening in Game 1. The lineup: SS Jeremy Peña, DH Alvarez, 3B Isaac Paredes, 2B Altuve, C Yainer Diaz, 1B Christian Walker, CF Lucas Spencer, RF Cam Smith, LF Taylor Trammell.

The triple crown isn’t happening, but Alvarez leads the majors with a .316 average, a .432 OBP and a .604 slugging percentage and is tied for second in the AL with 42 homers and is alone in second in the AL with 105 RBI. He’s almost certainly going to wind up with an MVP award.

Alvarez put the Astros on the board with a base hit in the first inning to drive in a run. After he was intentionally walked in the second, he took Carlos Vargas deep for a two-run blast in the eighth to extend the Houston lead. The home run ties Alvarez with Junior Caminero for the AL lead at 41 home runs. The homer also marked the 900th hit of his career. The 29-year-old slugger is slashing an incredible .314/.431/.601 with 102 RBI across 668 plate appearances.

Alvarez clobbered the fourth of five Astros’ solo home runs in the contest, with his 385-foot (107.2-mph EV) blast coming off of Seth Lugo in the fifth inning. It’s the first time in his career that he has eclipsed the 40-homer plateau, becoming just the eighth player in Astros’ franchise history to do so. With his 2-for-4 night, the 29-year-old superstar is now slashing a robust .311/.429/.598 with 40 homers and 99 RBI on the season.

Alvarez drew a walk in the third inning, then took Michael Wacha deep for a two-run homer in the fifth to extend the Astros’ lead. It was just the second home run this month for the 29-year-old slugger. He’s up to 39 on the season with 96 runs scored and 98 RBI while slashing .310/.429/.594 across 643 plate appearances.

With the fantasy playoffs in full swing, it’s worth noting that Alvarez is healthy after missing a pair of games late last week with a minor ankle issue. The 29-year-old fantasy superstar is in the lineup to face Royals veteran righty Michael Wacha on Tuesday night at Daikin Park.

Alvarez missed the first two games of the series after suffering a minor ankle injury on Thursday. The 29-year-old slugger is back in there as the Astros’ designated hitter on Sunday and will bat second against Rays’ right-hander Freddy Peralta. Alvarez is just 7-for-33 (.212) in the month of September and has hit just three home runs over his last 38 games.

Alvarez is absent for a second straight game today after hurting his right ankle Thursday. The Astros have Yainer Diaz serving as a DH against the Rays.

Alvarez receives some additional time off to rest and recover after twisting his right ankle while running the bases during Thursday’s game against the Phillies. The 29-year-old fantasy superstar is sitting out his second straight contest and remains day-to-day for now. It doesn’t appear to be a significant concern, but fantasy managers should continue closely monitoring his status.