The Astros announced their 26-man World Series roster ahead of tonight’s Game 1 clash with the NL Champion Atlanta Braves. The AL champs made only a single change from their ALCS roster, dropping rookie outfielder Jake Meyers for utilityman (and playoff veteran) Marwin Gonzalez. The Astros’ pitching staff, which again does not include Lance McCullers Jr., is unchanged.
Here’s the full roster breakdown:
Right-Handed Pitchers
- Luis Garcia
- Yimi Garcia
- Kendall Graveman
- Zack Greinke
- Cristian Javier
- Phil Maton
- Jake Odorizzi
- Ryan Pressly
- Ryne Stanek
- Jose Urquidy (Game 2 starter)
Left-Handed Pitchers
- Brooks Raley
- Blake Taylor
- Framber Valdez (Game 1 starter)
Catchers
Infielders
- Jose Altuve
- Alex Bregman
- Carlos Correa
- Aledmys Diaz
- Yuli Gurriel
- Marwin Gonzalez
Outfielders
Gonzalez’s contributions to Astros teams of yore — including the 2017 World Series winners — make his inclusion noteworthy, but he’s unlikely to offer more than bench depth as the series moves to an NL park for Games 3-5. Though always crucial to his value, his positional versatility is Gonzalez’s calling card at this point; he’s appeared at every position on the diamond but catcher at least once at some point in his ten-year career. Aside from a roughly average year with the Twins in 2019, Gonzalez has done little with the bat since leaving the Astros and posted only a combined .567 OPS across 307 plate appearances with Boston and Houston in 2021.
Meyers, the man he replaces, was solid for the Astros in 2021 in his first taste of big-league action, putting together a .260/.323/.438 line in 163 trips to the plate while also capably manning Minute Maid Park’s spacious center field, but he did not see the field in the ALCS after suffering a shoulder injury in the Game 4 ALDS clincher against the White Sox. Though the Astros had carried him on the ALCS roster to maintain his eligibility for the World Series, hopes he’d be ready to go by now have evidently not borne out. Fellow rookies McCormick and Siri will be tasked with manning center field in his stead.
Though the club’s roster selection proved relatively drama-free, a number of question do loom for manager Dusty Baker. In particular, the club’s pitching plan remains up in the air, with only Valdez and Urquidy announced as starters. While rookie Luis Garcia is likely to get the ball for Game 3 in Atlanta, Baker’s Game 4 plan is anyone’s guess, with Greinke, Odorizzi, and a bullpen game all viable options. It’s also unclear how Baker will handle DH Yordan Alvarez in the games played in Atlanta — and who would be asked to take a seat if Alvarez plays the outfield.
Astros in 8
5
Braves in 3
Then that means the Braves took at least one in Houston which will be huge. A win in my book.
Braves got this. Chop on!
Trash cans can get them to wrap it all up tonight…
I don’t want to work – I just want to bang on the drum all day!
Hoping they bang it all the way to a title!!
Can’t imagine why Marwin was never able to duplicate his 2017 season. He really robbed the Twins by signing a deal he knew he couldn’t hope to live up to.
That said, this is a scary lineup and I think the Asterisks are legitimate favorites.
Marwin is the poster boy of what happened, but others replicated success years after (assuming they did not find a different way to cheat).
The poster boy is actually Gattis, who fell off the face of the earth. His monthly splits are comical from that year.
Glad I read the full article to realize an injury is why Gonzalez is on the roster. The man brought very little to the table in recent years. I was originally upset to hear the rookie was taken off the roster.
Gattis’ best year was actually 2016, before the sign stealing.
No denying that he used the trash can more than any other player. Interesting that his 2017 road numbers were across the board better than his home numbers
I would give that award to Evan Gattis. He retired and never even attempted to come back after 2018.
I’m sure the Braves called McCann and Gattis for some insight.
I thought it was an open secret what Houston was doing? That signing is on the Twins.
Excited for tonight. Go Astros.
Astros sacrifice defense in Atlanta. Put Tucker in CF with Alvarez in LF and Brantley inRF.
Lol
I think Baker is making a huge mistake putting Guriel down that low. Even sixth was too low. I would swap Gurriel with Bregman.
You really think Baker made the lineup? The lineup was handed to him.
Yes, I do. Who do you think decided on the iineup? A computer? Alexa? Google Asst? Siri?
If you’re a conspiracy nut, never mind answering.
I’ve never thought he was a great manager, though. Really dont understand him using Pressley in two situations in the last series.
If Siri made the lineup, why wouldn’t he put himself in over McCormick?
But seriously, the lineup is handed to Baker after getting his initial input, discussing situations, etc. But its the analytics dept that optimizes the lineup before its handed to Dusty. Its the lineup, not a pitching change in the 7th inning.
Imagine if the Astros still had Springer on this team, not to mention a healthy Verlander & McCullers? I know the Braves can match them in injury comparisons (Soroka, Albies, Ozuna), but Springer in that lineup would make them almost unbeatable.
With that said, I hope Atlanta sweeps them!