{"id":107457,"date":"2025-09-18T19:48:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T23:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=107457"},"modified":"2025-09-18T19:48:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T23:48:00","slug":"jesus-sanchez-more-important-astros-after-alvarez-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/09\/18\/jesus-sanchez-more-important-astros-after-alvarez-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Jes\u00fas S\u00e1nchez is More Important to the Astros Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

The regular season is approaching the finish line, and the Houston Astros only have a handful of games left to determine if they\u2019ll make the postseason and grab a wild card spot, or win the American League West division for the eighth straight full season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After sweeping the Texas Rangers, the Astros hold a half-game lead over the Seattle Mariners. But the recent ankle sprain to Yordan Alvarez<\/a>, one of the most important hitters in Houston\u2019s lineup, makes things tougher. Alvarez<\/a> is more than likely out for the rest of the season, as manager Joe Espada<\/a> said it is a significant sprain and will be out for \u201ca while\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Houston will definitely miss his offensive production, as he was scorching hot lately from the plate. In the 19 games since he returned from a broken bone in his hand, Alvarez was hitting for a .364 average with a 1.031 OPS. Alvarez also hit three home runs and nine RBIs during that period. He even recorded back-to-back four-hit games vs the Yankees in early September.<\/p>\n

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Sep 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Jesus Sanchez (4) hits an RBI single during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jes\u00fas S\u00e1nchez’s Defense Delivers for the Astros<\/h2>\n

The Astros need someone to step up, and that player is Jes\u00fas S\u00e1nchez<\/a>. The 27-year-old outfielder is now starting to play left field for the team and is tremendous defensively with an elite arm. This was on full display during their series a while back in August against the Baltimore Orioles, where he robbed two home runs. Most recently, S\u00e1nchez came through with one of the most important defensive plays of the season against the Rangers on Monday night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Alvarez went down, S\u00e1nchez was placed in left field and was called into action during the seventh inning. The Astros, leading 4-3 with two outs, faced a challenge when the Rangers threatened with runners on first and second. Wyatt Langford<\/a> hit a single to left, and S\u00e1nchez delivered a perfect throw to the plate that cut down the tying run. The play preserved the lead, and Houston went on to win 6-3<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Jes\u00fas S\u00e1nchez preserves the Astros lead with a PERFECT THROW ? pic.twitter.com\/AUAJBrKKOS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n