That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies Phocus: The Houston Astros come to Philly

By Mike Azzalina

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 22: Cameron Rupp #29 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Odubel Herrera #37 at home plate after hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Brewers won 9-8. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 22: Cameron Rupp #29 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Odubel Herrera #37 at home plate after hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Brewers won 9-8. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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The Position Player: Jose Altuve

Honestly, this one is not even a question. Even if Correa was playing this week, I would have a difficult time not picking Jose Altuve.

Small in stature, but large in talent, Altuve has become a household name around baseball. He is a pesky top of the order bat who is just incredibly difficult to get out on a nightly basis.

This season, Altuve is hitting a ridiculous .358/.424/.564 and carries 134 hits into this series. He has stolen 21 bases and has struck out only 51 times in 374 at bats. Oh yeah, he has walked 39 times. Do not be fooled by his size either. The 5’6” second baseman has 15 homers this season to boot.

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On the road this year, Altuve is only hitting .420 with ten homers. He has played at Citizen’s Bank Park before, but did not have much luck there, only going 4-24 in five games there.

He comes into the series one of the hottest hitters in baseball. Since the turn of the calendar into July, Altuve is slashing .479/.526/.718 with four homeruns. I do not know that there are words for just how impressive those numbers are.

He is getting a hit in nearly 50% of the 71 at bats he has had this month.

How do the Phillies get him out? I really have no idea. There are very few scouting reports that give ways to send him back to the visitor’s dugout. Take a look at his hot/cold chart. A closer look at fastballs is laughable. Any fastball that touches the zone is fire red.

There does not seem to be much luck with curveballs either. However, if you can spot a changeup exactly on the low, outside corner, you may get him out.

Yes, that is how perfect a pitcher must be when facing Jose Altuve.

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