The Houston Astros had two chances to close out the Texas Rangers at home, and failed. Texas came back from a 3-2 deficit at Minute Maid Park, silencing Astros faithful in the process. There was plenty of blame to go around at the time, and it's all been noted. Yordan Alvarez and the Astros stars did all they could to reach yet another World Series, but Houston was unable to defend their crown. Instead, they are watching their AL West rivals potentially win it all from home.
The ratings for the 2023 World Series do not lie -- casual fans are not as interested as in years past. Arizona and Texas are not necessarily large markets. There is no villain factor, which the Astros would have provided.
While I wish Arizona and Texas nothing but the best, it's tough not to wonder what could have been. Just a day after blaming some Phillies for this unfortunate reality, it's Houston's turn now.
Houston Astros to blame: Bryan Abreu is obvious
Bryan Abreu was able to avoid an ALCS suspension for plunking Adolis Garcia, but he poked the bear by hitting the Rangers star with a pitch, whether it was intentional or not. Garcia proceeded to torment the Astros in the next two games in Houston, and played a major role in their eventual elimination at home.
Abreu's pitch was curiously-timed, and perhaps not purposeful given the scoreline and moment. However, Garcia clearly took it personally, and Martin Maldonado didn't exactly deny that suggestion. When discussing a potential suspension, Dusty Baker made it clear Abreu's absence would have been a big blow.
"That could be a huge blow. I thought about using him two innings today, had the decision been made," Baker said. "But you'd hate to have the fine and the suspension go past tomorrow and then I wouldn't have had Abreu tomorrow, had he gone two innings."
Baker didn't use Abreu in Game 7, and he didn't really have to. The Rangers took an early lead and never looked back. Motivation is everything in the MLB Postseason, and Garcia was provided with plenty.
Houston Astros to blame: Cristian Javier
Houston's pitching staff came up short in this series as a whole. The bullpen was brutal in Game 6, but the team expected better of Cristian Javier, who came out flat in Game 7. Javier gave up three early runs and was pulled after a single from catcher Jonah Heim. Javier, who had pitched so well in the playoffs prior to that outing, did not handle the moment well. Once the Rangers won Game 6, that was all she wrote. Game 7 was in the bag just as early.
As FanSided's Scott Rogust noted, the Houston bullpen was overworked in Game 6, which set them up for failure in Game 7: "This set the tone for the Astros night and forced Baker to lean upon his already overworked bullpen early. That's not ideal for Houston, as they are now heading home."
Javier's pitch location in Game 7 was absolutely brutal, and allowed Rangers hitter to tee off on him early and often. He's a big reason why we're here.
Houston Astros to blame: Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker wasn't checked out for his final series as an MLB manager (one would presume), but he made some tough decisions which were rightly questioned by the fanbase. Baker let the Rangers back into this series in Game 6, and allowed them to win it in Game 7 thanks to some curious bullpen choices.
Starting Javier in Game 7 made sense, it's tough to blame him for such things. However, that start did not go well, and once the Astros fell behind they were unable to stop the bleeding. FanSided's Alicia de Artola described Houston manager Dusty Baker's thinking in Game 6:
"Listen, Baker was in a tough spot. With the luxury of knowing he'd see a Game 7, the manager had to make some difficult calls. The fact that he turned to Rafael Montero instead of Ryan Pressly was telling. He may need Pressly as fresh as possible in Game 7 with Bryan Abreu facing a potential suspension. But playing for Game 7 may have been a mistake. After all, Baker has never managed a Game 7 win."
Abreu never faced that suspension, but the Houston bullpen was gassed in Game 7. Texas deserves their pennant, and a likely World Series crown. But the Astros had the firepower to avoid such things.
