The World Series hopes of the Houston Astros rest squarely on the right arm of pitcher Cristian Javier.
Javier will start Game 7 of the American League Championship Series after the Texas Rangers extended the series with a 9-2 Game 6 victory on Sunday at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
While the Astros would have loved nothing more than to have wrapped up the series on Sunday night, having Javier to lean on in a decisive Game 7 is a luxury for the Astros, as you could make the argument that Javier has been their best starter this postseason.
In Game 3 of the ALCS, Javier drew the start at Globe Life Field in Arlington and helped the Astros to an 8-5 victory.
Javier pitched 5.2 innings in that contest, as he only allowed two runs, three hits and a walk while striking out three. While he gave up a home run to Josh Jung, the Astros had the lead when Javier left the game and he walked away with his second postseason win.
His other win came in Game 3 of the AL Division Series against Minnesota, also a road game. Against the Twins on Oct. 10 he only went five innings, but he gave up one hit, no runs and five walks against nine strikeouts.
Javier has built an impressive postseason resume. He is now 6-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 16 games (four starts) with 60 strikeouts in 43.1 innings. He made two starts last postseason and won both as the Astros claimed their second World Series title.
The one big question is whether Javier will get the run support he needs from an Astros offense that has been stubbornly stagnant at home in this series and this season.
While the Astros scored 23 runs in the three games in Arlington — all of which Houston won — they have only scored six runs in the three games at home. Houston has lost all three.
Javier’s record at home in the regular season was solid — 5-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 13 starts and 68 innings. He has struck out 71 and walked 21. He held batters to a .237 average.
But there is one more input to the equation — this will be Javier’s first postseason start at home.
A trip to the World Series will be on the line.
2023 ALCS schedule (FOX/FS1)
Game 1: Rangers 2, Astros 0
Game 2: Rangers 5, Astros 4
Game 3: Astros 8, Rangers 5
Game 4: Astros 10, Rangers 3
Game 5: Astros 5, Rangers 4
Game 6: Rangers 9, Astros 2 (series tied, 3-3)
Game 7*: Monday at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (Fox)
*If necessary
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