The Houston Astros currently sit at 75-60, leading the American League West by three games over the Seattle Mariners. Despite leading their division, the Astros have struggled with injuries all season long.
However, now Houston is finally getting everyone healthy just in time for the home-stretch of the season.
Superstar slugger Yordan Alvarez missed more than three and half months this season due to a hand injury, but now he's back, healthy in the Astros' lineup. Could he be the final piece to another World Series title in Houston?
Mark DeRosa names Yordan Alvarez No. 1 X-Factor
In an "MLB Central" segment on Friday morning, MLB Network's Mark DeRosa recently named Alvarez the No. 1 x-factor in the MLB down the stretch of the season.
"No other team will add a top five bat back from injury than [the Houston Astros]," DeRosa said. "Yordan Alvarez, when healthy, is one of the game's elite hitters. You're putting him on a team that has fought so hard to give you a chance at another AL West. He owes it to the boys in that locker room to go scorched earth for them."
Alvarez played just over a month in the 2025 season before missing time with his hand injury. The Astros' slugger was not himself at the plate during that stretch. Alvarez was hitting .210 with a .646 OPS, and had just three home runs through 31 games.
However, after an extended break from the game, and the healing of his lingering hand issue, Alvarez has returned to the Astros' lineup and looks back to normal.
Air Yordan 🚀
— MLB (@MLB) August 28, 2025
Yordan Alvarez mashes his first home run since returning from the IL! pic.twitter.com/ey8ceppUSU
The Astros' star is just 3-14 in his four games back from injury, but the production has been there. Alvarez has a home run and three RBI in those four games, and has drawn six walks.
Alvarez has shown how impactful he can be in the postseason with big home runs time and time again. The Astros' slugger has a career .294 BA and .944 OPS in the postseason with 12 home runs and 41 RBI.
If Alvarez can continue that success down the stretch of the season into another postseason run for the Astros, Houston may find itself hoisting its third World Series championship in nine years.