Astros Go To Their Seventh Straight ALCS

Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty ImagesFrankly, as the Astros plodded through a fairly lackluster season and somehow stumbled into another AL West title, I didn’t think the Astros would get this far. What with the injuries, the regression in the pitching staff, some sloppy play at times, I wasn’t sure the Astros would make it to the playoffs, much less their seventh straight ALCS appearance.

But as the season came to a close, the team seemed to gel. Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez returned to the lineup. Cristian Javier began to rediscover his form. So did Jose Urquidy, returning from injury as well. And, of course, Jose Abreu.

Jose Abreu looked like the biggest free-agent bust ever until…