Yordan Alvarez's dominance has Astros on the verge of another ALCS

It might be in the best interest of the Minnesota Twins to stop pitching to Houston Astros superstar Yordan Alvarez.

In fact, it might be in everybody's best interest to stop pitching to him when the calendar rolls over to October.

Alvarez had another dominant game on Tuesday night by clubbing his fourth home run of the ALDS and adding two doubles in a 9-1 drubbing of the Twins. He also reached base on an error that resulted in him reaching second base but was not ruled a double.

That win gives the Astros a 2-1 series lead in the ALDS and has them just one win away from reaching what would be a seventh straight appearance in the ALCS. 

Although Tuesday was a complete team effort, Alvarez continues to be the engine that drives the Astros offense and one of their most impactful hitters come playoff time.

With Tuesday's showing, he has now homered 10 times in his postseason career and is the single most imposing bat in an already powerful lineup.

Given Houston's run of dominance in the American League over the past seven years it is obvious some special players have come through their system. Jose Altuve has been the face of the franchise, while Kyle Tucker has emerged in recent years as a bonafide superstar.

But for as good as that core is, Alvarez is the guy who has a chance to be truly special if he can stay healthy and continue on his current trajectory.

Since becoming a full-time player in the Astros lineup at the start of the 2019 season he is a player you can confidently pencil in as a 30-home run, .900 OPS middle-of-the-order bat. It doesn't matter what park he is playing in, who he is hitting against, or what the situation is he is the one player that can constantly change a game with one swing of the bat. 

The only thing that has slowed him down in his career has been injuries. If he can stay healthy and help the Astros bring another World Series to Houston he has a chance to not only be regarded as one of the best Astros players ever but one of the best athletes in Houston sports history. 

There is still a long way to go for that, but for now, he is a big reason they are just one win away from another ALCS appearance. They can clinch that spot on Wednesday in Game 4 of the ALDS at Target Field.