Houston is the Problem

 

The Houston Astros took another two from the Yankees and swept the feel-good streaking Mariners. So no, they still have no idea what the proper narrative of an MLB season.

I'll stress again that I know that the Astros organization has been built in order to sustain the success they had in the late 2010s, and to ensure they never have to be the oft-tanking, bleeding organization they were before they moved to the AL. I am glad they've been able to bring up new players to lead the team as the foundational ones like Correa, Springer and Gurriel bow out. But it doesn't make it any more exciting to me to see a host of new storylines pop up every damn year and the Astros continue to make it to the end. It's boring when the same team makes it to the end every year. That's why I disliked the Cardinals in the early to mid 2010s, because they were ALWAYS in the NLCS, and they never seemed to let more deserving competitive teams like the Pirates, Braves and Nationals through. 

Yes, I realize the Yankees are competitive every year, but at least they switch things up with some losses in the ALDS every so often. The Astros just...make it to the ALCS every year. Even in 2020, when they were a last-minute playoff addition with a negative W/L ratio, they still made it to the ALCS and nearly advanced. This is just what they do now. And in 2022, once again they're leading the AL West, will likely be seeded against two teams they can handily defeat in postseason combat, and have been the only team in baseball to really be a match for the New York Yankees.

I know everyone's predicting the Yankees to make a World Series because they're really good right now, but you have to look at both the Yankees and Astros contemporarily. The Yankees in October tend to choke. The Astros in October tend to take advantage of that. And therefore, I think the Astros have a better chance of making the postseason, based on nothing but acquired knowledge. I have been burned MANY TIMES BEFORE by this damned team. And now that Dusty Baker is managing them, and doing a pretty nice job honestly, it's gotten to the point where sportswriters have begun to discuss the possibility of the Astros winning the World Series being a good thing.

Which is probably the sportswriting equivalent of the Washington Post having articles about how billionaires are actually good for the lower classes. 

This is a good team this year. Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez are providing homegrown support as opposed to Verlander doing his thing. Jake Meyers, Chas McCormick and Korey Lee are getting in playing time underneath the massive. Alvarez and Altuve and Tucker and Bregman are doing their thing. It'd be admirable if it wasn't a leadup to another predictable postseason.

I just want...someone else to win instead of the Astros. For once. One time. I want this season to have an interesting ending instead of being interesting until like September. I'm a writer, I like setups that have payoffs. And I like when the guys that did bad things get what's coming to them. I want the rest of this season to deliver on that.

Coming Tonight: A pretty strong catcher for a major competitor.