MLB analyst tips Astros star to usurp current AL MVP as best player this season - "I'll take Yordan Alvarez finishing with a better season"
Yordan Alvarez and Aaron Judge have had this "best ballplayer" battle brewing between them since the hard-hitting Cuban joined the Astros. To say that Alvarez has had Judge's numbers over the years would be wrong, as their entries into the big leagues have been at different timelines, but one can always say one thing: The Astros have consistently overpowered the Yankees in the ALCS for the last decade or so.
"The problems the Yankees had in the ALCS were their low BA vs the Astros and their strike outs," @benjamntenison1 tweeted. "Benny and DJ, who had decent BAs and didn't K much, would've helped make it more competitive instead of a sweep."
The Astros annihilated the Yankees in four games in the 2022 ALCS. Yordan Alvarez was equally as good for Houston, hitting several big home runs during important periods to lead Houston to yet another World Series victory. It was quite clear from that series how much Aaron Judge was struggling in the postseason.
"I'll take Yordan Alvarez finishing with a better season than Aaron Judge in 2023," Matt Snyder via cbssports said.
Some analysts now predict that Alvarez will have a better season than the reigning AL MVP and that the Astros will yet again trounce the star-studded Yanks. In three fewer seasons, Yordan has led in batting averages, equivalent averages and OPS. These stats speak volumes, as Yordan has proven his might in such a short period of time. Judge's case can be made, but it feels like he was the only one trying to lead the Yankees last season, with others being inconsistent.
"Aaron Judge vs Yordan Alvarez," @michaelschwab13 tweeted.
The Astros will be eyeing to trounce the Yankees again
Although Houston competed in the National League until 2012, the Astro's rivalry with the New York Yankees has been fairly intense in recent years. The Astros have consistently defeated the Yankees in this one-sided rivalry, but it has been a civilized one because neither club engages in physical violence against the other during games. But don't be fooled — love still exists.
"ARE YOU KIDDING!?" MLB on Fox tweeted. "Jose Altuve hits a walk-off 3-run homer vs the Yankees to cap off a 6-run 9th inning for Houston!"
Since Houston's sign-stealing controversy was made public after the Astros defeated the Yankees in the 2017 ALCS and win the World Series, there has been little love lost between the two teams. It will be interesting to see whether Yordan Alvarez can once again help the Astros dominate the Yankees or if the new Yankees captain, Aaron Judge, has other plans.