King of clutch: Altuve looking to add to postseason legend

HOUSTON -- Welcome to October, which around these parts is as much about Jose Altuve as it is about jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating. Simply put, this is the time of year when the Astros second baseman forges his status as one of baseball’s most clutch postseason performers in history.

Not that Altuve hasn’t been a force in the regular season -- he posted his best numbers this year since his American League Most Valuable Player season five years ago -- but Altuve's penchant for delivering some of the most clutch hits in Astros postseason history is legendary. His walk-off homer against the Yankees to clinch to the 2019 AL pennant is one of biggest homers in Astros history -- and it only added to Altuve’s incredible playoff résumé.

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“Altuve’s so clutch because he feels no pressure,” said Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, who was a teammate of Altuve in Houston for 6 1/2 seasons. “We played in so many postseason games, so many meaningful games, that by now, the crowd cheers and it’s super loud, a lot of people crumble. He just thrives. For him, it’s like he’s been there before.”

Altuve, 32, enters Tuesday’s Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the Mariners ranked second all-time in postseason history with 23 homers, trailing only Manny Ramirez (29). It’s not a stretch to think Altuve could push for that record this year if the Astros make a long run into October (he hit five in 17 postseason games last year).

“I think for everything I've accomplished in the league, for me, it’s hard to believe because I've had so many obstacles in my career,” Altuve said. “And 23 is obviously a big number. I don’t like to talk about it. I think it’s hard to believe only one player has more than me. Hopefully, I hit some more to help my team.”

Altuve’s 79 career postseason games are tied with Correa and the Giants' Joc Pederson for second most among active players (with the Cardinals' Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols, who ranked 1 and 2, retiring). He’s slashed .286/.361/.547 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs in 322 career playoff at-bats.

Here are five of Altuve's memorable postseason moments:

Game 1, 2017 ALDS -- Altuve became the ninth player in AL/NL postseason history to slug three homers in a game when he did it against the Red Sox.

Game 2, 2017 ALCS -- The Astros walked off the Yankees to take a 2-0 series lead with Altuve scoring the winning run from first base when catcher Gary Sánchez dropped the ball on an attempted tag following a double by Correa.

Game 5, 2017 World Series -- Altuve answered a tiebreaking, three-run homer from the Dodgers' Cody Bellinger in the top of the fifth by hitting a game-tying, three-run homer in the bottom of the inning off Clayton Kershaw.

Game 6, 2019 ALCS -- Altuve sent the Astros to their second World Series in three seasons with a walk-off homer off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman.

Game 4, 2021 ALCS -- With the Astros trailing the Red Sox, 2-1, in the series, Altuve tied the game in the eighth inning with a homer. Houston scored seven in the ninth to win, 9-2, and eventually won the series.

“I think that was one of my favorite ones lately,” Altuve said.

Altuve quietly posted one of the best offensive seasons of his career, slashing .300/.387/.533 and finishing third in the AL in OPS behind Aaron Judge (1.111) and teammate Yordan Alvarez (1.109). His 160 OPS-plus tied his career high set in his 2017 MVP season. He walked once every 9.15 plate appearances, which is the best mark of his career.

“To see him do what he did this year is very special,” pitcher Justin Verlander said. “[He’s] one of my favorite players to ever watch play. “

While Altuve stressed swinging at better pitches this year, it was an adjustment at the plate -- keeping his hands back and lower -- that paid off. He remains an aggressive pull hitter, but he the ball harder and with more consistency this year.

“Every year, he wants to be on top of the game, be of the best second baseman in the game, have a .900 OPS, all the numbers that they’re into right now,” hitting coach Alex Cintrón said. “He put in work and worked really hard in Spring Training, especially because it was a short one, so we didn’t have time to work them with January and February.”

Because Altuve knows the hard work in January and February is what makes him stand out in October.

“In my case, I prepared every day to go out there during the regular season, but I feel like in the postseason you have a little bit more adrenaline,” he said. “It’s not like you care more, but there’s no tomorrow. You better win. You play to win. I like to play in those kinds of games.”