HOUSTON -- AJ Hinch has managed a club-record 48 playoff games since coming to Houston prior to the 2015 season, when he led the underdog Astros to within a few outs of beating eventual World Series champion Kansas City in the American League Division Series.

The Astros missed the playoffs in’ 16 before winning the World Series in ‘17 by winning three elimination games (Games 6 and 7 of the AL Championship Series and Game 7 of the World Series). Hinch said October experience can be crucial this time of year as the Astros head into Tuesday’s Game 6 of the World Series with a 3-2 lead in the series over the Nationals.

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“I've made big decisions in these [types] of games before,” he said. “So there's a comfort and belief in myself and believing the process that I have as a manager, my coaching staff, the players, stuff like that. So I think I'm even more calmer in the moment in 2019 than I was 2017.

“Now, I've been told I'm showing a little bit more emotion on the bench on some close calls. So maybe that's progress, you know. I'm showing you what my insides have been telling myself for years. But the ‘been there, done that’ part of this I think is very important for us.”

If the World Series reaches seven games ...

Hinch’s decision to remove rookie Jose Urquidy after five scoreless innings in Game 4 of the World Series worked out quite well for the Astros, who rolled to an 8-1 win. Urquidy should be available in the bullpen in Game 7 on Wednesday if the Nationals win Game 6 on Tuesday.

Astros Game 5 starter Gerrit Cole, who threw 110 pitches and allowed one run in seven innings, could also be available for an inning in a possible Game 7.

“I'm really happy that I saved a few bullets of Urquidy for whatever we need,” Hinch said.

Zack Greinke, who pitched 4 2/3 effective innings in Game 3, would likely start a Game 7 for Houston. The Nats hope to have Max Scherzer available if they can extend the series, with Aníbal Sánchez the most likely alternative if there is a seventh game but Scherzer has not sufficiently recovered from neck spasms.

As far as Game 6 is concerned, the Astros’ bullpen is in good shape thanks to Monday’s off-day. Hinch was able to stay away from Will Harris in Game 5 after he had pitched in Games 3 and 4, and closer Roberto Osuna has had two days off as well. The best scenario for Game 6, Hinch said, is starter Justin Verlander getting 27 outs.

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“As I chisel away at that if he doesn't do that, one of the benefits of extending [with] those homers that we took, specifically [George] Springer's homer at the end [of Game 5], it allowed us to have a game where I didn't use Osuna and I didn't use Will Harris,” Hinch said Monday. “Will Harris deserves a day off more than anybody in America. Those two guys will obviously factor in in bullpen decisions in a Game 6 tomorrow. I thought Ryan Pressly's ending last night was phenomenal. It looked like he was trending in the right direction.”

Espada impressed Theo

During the Cubs' press conference introducing former catcher David Ross as their new manager on Monday, team president Theo Epstein spoke highly of Astros bench coach Joe Espada, who was on the Cubs' short list of candidates.

"Joe Espada did a phenomenal job as well," Epstein said. "Whoever lands him as a manager is going to be a very lucky organization, because he brings a lot to the table."

Espada interviewed twice with the Cubs, and he's currently in the running for the vacant Giants position. He's already interviewed once in San Francisco and will have a second go-around once the World Series concludes.