Yordan Álvarez has been in a key cog in various playoff runs for the Astros and this year is no different. This postseason the giant from Las Tunas, Cuba has been the same menace to opposing pitching.
In 180 playoff at-bats Álvarez has gone yard 10 times and driven in 32 runs, this includes a key homerun in game 6 of last year’s World Series to propel the Astros to a World Championship.
The two-time All-Star and American League Rookie of the Year in 2019 is hitting a gawdy .438 this postseason and has also posted a robust 1.784 OPS. Álvarez is looking forward to leading this team to another world championship.
The slugger talked to us about an array of things including of how they do not miss any of his games in his hometown in spite of the limitations they face to watch MLB games in Cuba.
Algunas preguntas que hice a Yordan Álvarez y José Altuve este viernes, previo al comienzo de la ALDS ante los Twins en esta ciudad. pic.twitter.com/PShkMwqcM4
— Javier Gonzalez (@Astros_Coverage) October 6, 2023
Yordan, how’s your elbow? Do you think you’re okay to play left field if Dusty asks you to throughout the playoffs?
Yes, we have already talked about that. The elbow thing was a while ago and there’s nothing to worry about.
Yordan, you’ve already had some great games for the Astros in the playoffs throughout your career. How does it make you that you come up big at the right moments?
I think the most important thing I have gained has been the experience. Playing in the playoffs I’ve had a lot of tense situations and a lot of great moments. The experience has been immense. I think it also helps me to be able to tell some of the younger kids like, hey, we’re the ones who need to take care of ourselves right now. Nobody else is going to do it for us.
In almost all countries where there is representation of Latin baseball players you can see the postseason. In Cuba, for different reasons, they cannot be seen. What messages do you have for those fans in Cuba who watch the games a few days late?
I know that in my hometown they don’t miss any of my games, especially here in the playoffs. I don’t know how they do it. I know that when I was growing up, I didn’t have the opportunity to watch the games of the Major Leagues live. They find a way, whether it’s streaming or whatever. It makes me happy to see business owners closing their business just to find a way to watch these games. So that’s definitely something that makes me very happy.
Yordan, last October your parents and your family were here to see you. How are you? How are they? Will they be able to be here for the playoffs? What has it been like having them around this year and knowing that they can see you?
In terms of them being here, obviously it’s something I love. It has made me feel a lot calmer. I don’t have to worry about not being with them anymore. It’s something that’s even maybe It changed my perspective on life. In terms of being in the game, my father is here in this at the moment and my brother is still in school. Hopefully, once school is out, he’ll have a chance to come and see me play.