HOUSTON — It seems like the only team that can get George Springer out in October and keep him in the ballpark is the Yankees.
Springer continued his stunning postseason hitting with two hits, two runs scored and another home run in the Astros’ 7-2 win over the Indians on Friday at Minute Maid Park in Game 1 of the ALDS. The leadoff hitter has homered in five straight postseason games, only the third player to accomplish the feat.
Carlos Beltran did it in 2004 and Daniel Murphy hit home runs in six straight postseason games for the Mets in 2015.
In the four-game win over the Red Sox in last year’s ALDS, Springer batted .412 with two home runs. The Yankees shut him down in the seven-game ALCS as Springer batted .115 with no home runs.
Against the Dodgers in the World Series, Springer finished with a .379 average and five home runs. He started that series 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, but then had a talk with the veteran Beltran and coach Alex Cora, who is now managing the Red Sox, about enjoying the moment and not looking at the pressure of the postseason.
“Yeah, I got told last year by Alex Cora, Carlos Beltran, [manager] A.J. Hinch to go out and kind of just have fun and enjoy the moment for how it is because you don’t ever know if you’re going to get back here,’’ Springer said. “So many players have played this game and never get to the playoffs.
“For me, it’s just another day, just another game. Go out and try and have as much fun as I can, but slow down and kind of understand who’s up behind me,’’ Springer said of the Astros’ powerful lineup. “I’ve got the hitting champ from last year, the MVP [Jose Altuve], Alex Bregman, who’s arguably an MVP. So kind of just slowing down, getting myself to first base, and letting the guys who can actually hit hit.’’
Make no mistake, Springer, the former Connecticut star, can hit and he is a vital piece to the Astros, one special team.
“Our clubhouse is not like any other clubhouse I’ve ever seen,’’ Springer said. “It’s fun to come to the park. It’s fun to play with each other. All 25-plus guys in there are cheering for the other guy to succeed. “I think for us it’s all about having fun, and I think in the clubhouse, [that attitude] is now starting to spread out onto the field.’’
“For guys who step in or get traded over here, get called up, I think that they get to see that. Having guys like Brian McCann, Jose Altuve to at least set the tone of, ‘You know what? Go out, have fun, enjoy the day because, at the end of the day, we’re in the big leagues and we’re playing in front of a great crowd, a great city.’ So go out and kind of enjoy it.
