Don’t be Distracted, Astros’ Jose Altuve Is the Real Star of a Chaotic ALCS Game 5

The shiny diversions are as plentiful as the Vegas strip at midnight. How umpire James Hoye and Rangers outfielder Adolis García overreacted to a hit by pitch. How Texas closer José Leclerc threw a 3-and-2 changeup to a guy who had not taken a competitive swing in 19 days—and still hasn’t. How Houston catcher Martín Maldonado is always suspect No. 1 when the proverbial flying eraser from the back of the room bounces off the whiteboard.

Don’t be distracted. The Astros are one win away from going back to the World Series because of one of the best pound-for-pound sluggers baseball has ever seen, and who belongs in the line of succession of the most legendary clutch players, from Reggie to Schill to The Captain to Big Papi to Mad Bum and now to José Altuve.

José Altuve hit a go-ahead three-run home run to give Houston a 3–2 ALCS lead over the Rangers.

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