Franchise royalty: Houston Astros all‑time postseason lineup

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Franchise royalty: Houston Astros all‑time postseason lineup

Arnab Mondal · The Big Lead

Wed, Sep 30, 2026 ·

10 min read

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The Houston Astros are back in the postseason after one of the strangest regular seasons in franchise history.

They finished with an even 81-81 record, but they still managed to win the AL West on the final day of the season. A 9-0 win over the Athletics locked up the division and punched Houston's ticket.

That .500 record actually made baseball history. The Astros became the first team to win a division and make the playoffs without a winning record in a full 162-game season. It is also their eighth division crown in the last 10 years.

MORE: 10 reasons MLB's modern playoff format puts upset alert on every series

Houston came in as the No. 3 seed in the American League. The Astros host the No. 6 seed Chicago White Sox (who went 84-78) in a best-of-three wild-card series at Daikin Park. Game 1 went to Chicago, 6-3.

As the Astros begin their postseason, it is worth looking back at the players who shaped their postseason history.

Catcher: Martin Maldonado

MLB: ALCS-Houston Astros at Texas Rangers

Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado (15) hits a RBI single during the second inning of game three of the ALCS against the Texas Rangers in the 2023 MLB playoffs at Globe Life Field. Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Martin Maldonado takes the top spot in this lineup because of what he brought behind the plate. His offensive numbers in the postseason were modest, with a .169 average, three home runs and 13 RBI in 65 games with Houston.

His value came from a different part of the game. Maldonado became the primary catcher and a defensive leader during the Astros' 2022 championship year. He worked closely with several Houston pitching staffs during deep playoff runs, and his pitch calling and framing were important parts of the team's run prevention.

The 2022 postseason is a strong example. Houston posted a 2.29 team ERA on its way to the World Series championship. Maldonado's work behind the plate was part of that defensive success.

First base: Yuli Gurriel

MLB: World Series-Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel (10) in action during game one between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Credit: USA TODAY Sports (Reuters)

Yuli Gurriel was a steady presence in the middle of Houston's lineup during its championship years. He played 85 postseason games and collected 87 hits, eight home runs and 39 RBI.

Gurriel holds the record for the most postseason hits by a Cuban-born player, and his 87 playoff hits show how often he delivered during Houston's long October runs.

His approach at the plate was another strength. He opened both the 2019 and 2022 postseasons with 48 straight plate appearances without a strikeout. That ability to put the ball in play was valuable during high-pressure games.

Gurriel was part of two World Series championship teams. He helped Houston win in 2017 and again in 2022.

MORE: Houston Astros set new low for MLB playoff teams

Second base: Jose Altuve

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits an RBI-single against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Jose Altuve is the heart of the Astros' modern era. He has played 106 games and collected 118 hits, 27 home runs and 89 runs throughout his postseason career.

Altuve ranks second in MLB history in postseason home runs. Only Manny Ramirez has more, with 29. He also ranks second in postseason runs scored and third in hits.

His biggest October moments include the walk-off home run against Aroldis Chapman in Game 6 of the 2019 ALCS. That homer sent Houston to the World Series.

Altuve also holds several Astros postseason franchise records, and his games, hits and runs all show how long he has carried the club in October. Few players have been as closely linked with the Astros' rise, which makes second base an easy fit for him.

Shortstop: Carlos Correa

MLB: Houston Astros at Baltimore Orioles

Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (1) reacts after striking out in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Carlos Correa played 79 postseason games with Houston. He hit .272 with 82 hits, 18 home runs and 59 RBI in those games. He added six more playoff games with Minnesota in 2023, which brings his career postseason total to 85 games, 91 hits and 63 RBI.

Correa's October portfolio includes some of the biggest plays in Astros history, including a walk-off home run in Game 2 of the 2019 ALCS. He also produced one of the great single postseasons by a shortstop in 2020, when he hit six home runs and drove in 17 runs.

Jeremy Pena won ALCS and World Series MVP honors during Houston's 2022 championship run. Still, Correa's longer postseason volume and clutch production give him the edge at shortstop for this lineup.

His defense was also a huge part of Houston's deepest playoff runs.

Third base: Alex Bregman

MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) walks on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Alex Bregman became one of the defining players of the Astros' championship era. He played 99 postseason games with Houston and recorded 88 hits and 19 home runs. Counting three games with Boston in 2025, his career total is 102 games and 91 hits.

Bregman's 19 playoff home runs are the most ever by a third baseman in MLB postseason history. His plate discipline also made him a difficult hitter to handle in October.

One of his most memorable moments came during the 2017 World Series, when Bregman delivered a walk-off single in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers . That hit helped Houston move closer to its first World Series championship.

Left field: Lance Berkman

Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman (17) in action against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning at Minute Maid Park. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Lance Berkman represents the Astros' earlier postseason era. Across his career, which included a 2011 title with St. Louis , he hit .317 in the postseason with nine home runs and 41 RBI.

Berkman was a major part of the famous Killer B's offense, and his postseason career included several memorable moments. In 2004, he homered in Game 1 of the NLDS against Atlanta . In 2005, he was one of the stars of the run to the World Series, hitting .385 in the Fall Classic with a team-high six RBI.

His signature moment came in Game 4 of the 2005 NLDS. Trailing 6-1 in the eighth inning, Berkman hit a grand slam that cut the Braves' lead to 6-5. Brad Ausmus then tied the game with a two-out solo homer in the ninth. The Astros went on to win in 18 innings.

Berkman's bat gives this lineup another proven October performer. His production also connects this team to the Astros' pre-dynasty years.

Center field: George Springer

MLB: Houston Astros at Cleveland Indians

Houston Astros George Springer (4) signals for Alex Bregman (2) to stay up as he crosses home plate for the second run of an RBI during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

George Springer was one of the key faces of the Astros' first championship team. He hit 19 postseason home runs with Houston, with an .895 playoff OPS.

Springer's 2017 World Series was the highlight of his October career. He hit five home runs in the series, tying the MLB record for most homers in a single World Series. That performance earned him World Series MVP honors. Springer also became known for setting the tone at the top of Houston's lineup, and his leadoff home runs regularly gave the Astros an early spark.

His October production and role in the 2017 championship make him the center fielder here.

Right field: Kyle Tucker

Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) looks towards the dugout after hitting a single during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Kyle Tucker gives this lineup another left-handed power bat. He hit eight postseason home runs with the Astros.

Tucker made his biggest impact during the 2022 World Series. He hit two home runs in Game 1, becoming the first Astros player to homer twice in a World Series game.

His defense was just as important. Tucker made the game-ending catch in foul territory during Game 6 of the 2022 World Series. That play helped Houston finish off the Philadelphia Phillies and secure the championship.

Tucker's mix of power, speed and defense makes him the choice in right field.

Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) runs to first base on a double during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Daikin Park. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Yordan Alvarez has already built a major October resume. He has played 61 postseason games and hit .294 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI. His career postseason OPS is .936.

His 2022 playoff run was good. Alvarez crushed a walk-off, three-run home run in Game 1 against the Seattle Mariners to steal the win. Then came his massive 450-foot blast in Game 6 of the World Series against Philly, which pretty much sealed the championship and became an instant classic.

Even with those huge moments, he actually only hit .192 that postseason. Compare that to 2023, when he caught absolute fire, batting .465 with six homers and 15 RBIs.

Alvarez brings power and patience to the middle of this lineup. His left-handed bat also gives the Astros another dangerous option in October.

MORE: 2026 MLB Playoffs TV schedule & bracket entering postseason

Starting pitcher: Justin Verlander

MLB: Houston Astros at Cleveland Guardians

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Justin Verlander is the ace of this all-time Astros postseason staff. He has made 37 starts (21 with Astros) and one relief appearance (Game 4 of the 2017 ALDS) and owns a 17-12 record. His playoff numbers include a 3.58 ERA, 244 strikeouts and 226 innings.

Those 244 strikeouts are an MLB postseason record. Verlander also played a major role in Houston's run to the 2017 championship. He won ALCS MVP that year.

The right-hander finally won his first World Series game in 2022. Verlander started Game 5 against the Phillies and helped Houston move closer to another championship. His longevity makes him an easy choice for this rotation spot.

Closer: Ryan Pressly

Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) in action during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field. Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Ryan Pressly became one of the most reliable relievers of the Astros' championship era. He appeared in 47 postseason games, working 45⅓ innings with a 2.78 ERA and 14 saves. Only four pitchers in MLB history have more career postseason saves. At one point, he threw 22⅔ straight playoff innings without allowing an earned run.

His biggest October work came in 2022. Pressly did not allow an earned run in the entire postseason. He finished with a 0.00 ERA over 11 innings and went 6-for-6 in save chances.

In the World Series, he saved Games 5 and 6 and recorded the final out of the championship. He also closed out the combined no-hitter in Game 4 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

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