Astros Send Clear Jose Altuve Message After Latest Win

Altuve went 2-for-3 with two RBI, two doubles, a walk, and a stolen base in Houston's 4-3 victory. At least for one night, the 35-year-old Altuve turned the clock back to his prime as the surging Astros moved to 7-3 in June.

It's been a mixed bag thus far for Altuve, who entered Friday hitting .275 with nine home runs, 27 RBI, and a .737 OPS in 65 games. In fairness to Altuve, he's spent the season alternating between left field—a position he'd never played before spring training—and his longtime home at second base.

However, Altuve is nonetheless on pace for his worst season in well over a decade. The nine-time All-Star is worth -0.4 bWAR, and his .737 OPS is on track to be his lowest since 2013. Keep in mind that Altuve, for all the jokes about his 5-foot-6 frame, averaged a .871 OPS from 2014-23. 

We'll see what the Astros have planned for Altuve ahead of the July 31 deadline. Perhaps the team could acquire an outfielder to play left and move Altuve back to second before the postseason.

As for the greatest player in Astros history: it likely is Altuve, who trails only Jeff Bagwell (79.9) and Craig Biggio (65.4) atop the club's bWAR chart. However, we'd understand if you picked Bagwell or Biggio, given the Astros' cheating scandal.

Houston (38-30) owns a 4 1/2 game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West.