Astros Altuve Literally Loves Verlander and Game 1

HOUSTON – On the eve of the American League Division Series, José Altuve exchanged a few text messages with Astros ace Justin Verlander. He was ready, excited and eager to lead.

He also declared that he was grateful to not have to face Verlander, showering the hard-throwing veteran and AL Cy Young Award frontrunner with a subtle compliment that defines Altuve’s brand of leadership. He is always building teammates up, whether young rookies or superstars on the path to Cooperstown, N.Y.

Two years after famously declaring “I literally love Justin Verlander,” the Astros’ unquestioned leader showed his love for his teammates the way he always has, leading with his play at the plate and defensively. He drilled the two-run home run that opened the scoring and propelled Verlander to a 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1.

“Just breaking through with the big swing for Jose doesn’t surprise me,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said. “It’s like clockwork. Every ALDS it seems like he busts out with a really good game.

“I want to talk about his defense too. Those double plays he turned were really, really impressive. But, you know, again, he’s been our guy.”

Altuve definitely loves playing in Game 1 of the Division Series.

He set the tone for the Astros’ 2017 World Series run in Game 1 of that Division Series against the Red Sox, drilling three home runs off Chris Sale to become just the ninth player in history to hit three home runs in a postseason game.

A year later, he drilled a home run off Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber in Game 1 of the 2018 Division Series. Then on Friday night before a glorious, orange-rally flag-waving crowd at Minute Maid Park, Altuve got the Astros started in Game 1 of the Division Series against the Rays when he deposited Tyler Glasnow’s 1-1 offering into the Crawford Boxes behind the left field wall.

Altuve now has nine postseason home runs in his career, and all but four of those have been hit in the first games of the last three Division Series.

“I was (very) excited today and it’s good to have the first one out of the way,” Altuve said. “I mean, I don’t know. What can I say about that? I’m just going out there and trying to do my best. I’m really happy, like I told Justin, I don’t have to face him.”

That last statement was typical Altuve. It’s the type of statement he has been making since he was a 21-year-old rookie in 2011 and throughout the Astros’ three-consecutive seasons of 100 or more losses.

Whether he was becoming the Astros franchise’s first batting champ or first player with multiple 200-hit seasons, the six-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner from Venezuelan has always looked to shine the spotlight elsewhere or at least share it.

Rest assured, though, he’s the Astros’ leader. He’s their heartbeat, the man who usually picks up the tab when teammates gather for lunch or dinner on the road.

“He was here before any of us were here,” Hinch said. “He’s one of the original Astros when it was a little lean around here. I think that it’s easy to have the new kids come up and the new guys come up and the World Series heroes. He’s just been doing his thing every year.

“He means so much to this team. He’s the heart and soul. We need a little bit of something from everybody. But it seems like all’s right in the world when Josey’s in the middle of what we’re doing.”

Everything is usually all right with the Astros when the diminutive superstar from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, is stirring the drink.

“Me and Jose were texting (Thursday) night about the game today saying, ‘Let’s go,’” Verlander said after throwing seven dominant innings of one-hit ball with eight strikeouts and three walks. “This team has no quit. These guys are hungry.

“They always are, no matter how many games we win or how good everybody says this team is. Inside the locker room, these guys grind and we work and we prepare ourselves to win baseball games. It’s fun to watch. Everybody can kill you. This guy was one of the heroes tonight. It’s fun to watch him play.”

Sure enough, Altuve has spoiled an Astros fan base that has been blessed to watch Hall of Famers such as Joe Morgan and Craig Biggio at Altuve’s position and other Hall of Famers such as Nolan Ryan and Jeff Bagwell over the years.

Altuve may ultimately prove to be the best of them all, considering he got to 1,500 hits this year already at a much faster pace than even Biggio had while he became the franchise’s only member of the 3,000-hit club.

That’s a conversation for another day, though. Altuve is focusing on winning another title. As he did after Game 6 of the 2017 American League Championship Series against the Yankees when his heroics helped stave off elimination by saying he literally loved Verlander, Altuve turned the attention away from himself.

“You don’t believe me,” Altuve said, “but I texted (Verlander) yesterday and I said, ‘I’m really happy I don’t have to face you tomorrow.’”

Altuve and Verlander then laughed. It was typical Altuve, leading the way while sharing the praise.

Featured Image: Cooper Neill / Major League Baseball