Osuna gets groove back with help from the Astros
Star closer says organization had plan for him to ‘get better’ mentally, physically
By now, Roberto Osuna has become accustomed to the booing, almost immune to it.
The Houston Astros closer gets a special dose of it at Yankee Stadium, as any opponent would, and he certainly received an earful when he exited the bullpen and then earned the save in Game 3 of the ALCS on Tuesday night.
But given the controversy that has tailed him since he was suspended for 75 games for a violation of MLB’s domestic abuse policy while in Toronto, there are times when the derision understandably has had more of an edge.
From a baseball perspective, however, Osuna has done his best to move forward, and as such, figures to be a key person in the Astros’ bid for a second World Series title in three years.
With shutdown appearances in Games 1 and 3 of the ALCS, Osuna is certainly in fine form and it appears manager A.J. Hinch has a more reliable closer than two years ago when he essentially stripped current Jay Ken Giles of the job.
“I feel better than ever,” Osuna said, his right arm wrapped in ice after his 1-2-3 ninth following his latest outing the night before the series was put on hold for a day when rain descended on New York City. “This team, this organization helped me to get better. Physical and mental. I’m very happy with what I’ve been doing over the last year.”
It was certainly an awkward and at times tense debut with the Astros after the Jays traded him last summer, essentially to walk away from the domestic abuse charges. The Astros took on the burden and some in the clubhouse weren’t pleased.
In a closed-door meeting shortly after his arrival to his new team, Osuna reportedly apologized for the distraction his suspension had caused, and since then, it appears the team has moved on.
Sticking to baseball, Osuna has thrived with the AL West champs, minus a wobble in one of his two appearances in the ALDS versus Tampa. But if anything, the native of Mexico has grown accustomed to the post-season, appearing in 23 games (14 with the Jays in 2015-16 and nine in 2018-19.)
Helped by playing on a dynamite 107-win Astros team, Osuna was certainly strong in the regular season, earning an AL-best 38 saves, one fewer than his dynamite 2017 season with the Jays.
“When you have a closer with elite stuff and a calm demeanour and the ability to close out games, he didn’t sneak up on all those saves during the season,” Hinch said. “He was remarkably consistent.
“This time of year, when closers give up a baserunner, you get questioned a lot on whether or not they’re going to be able to handle October. I trust him. I believe in him. I think he’s got tremendous weapons and a demeanour to handle the ninth inning.”
It’s certainly a different tone that Hinch had when discussing Giles — who was eventually dealt for Osuna in July 2018 — during the Astros’ winning run two years ago. So much of the hype surrounding the Astros’ pitching staff is focused on the starting rotation trio of Zack Greinke, Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. With Wednesday’s rainout, Hinch is now set up to trot those three out in order in the next three games, the latter if necessary.
But the Astros’ bullpen has been solid, as well, an underrated part of the staff, but led by one of the best young closers in the game who has already pitched 22/3 scoreless innings in this series.
“These guys had a plan for me and we’ve been working together,” Osuna said. “We’ve been making a lot of adjustments for the last few months in my mechanics and my mindset and what our goal is. It’s just a different approach. I’ve stayed healthy and I’ve been feeling great.”
As for the bedlam in the Bronx on Tuesday, Osuna thrived on the vibe, just as he has against the Yankees throughout his career. In 34 games against the Yankees (including the post-season and his time in Toronto) Osuna has 20 saves with just one blown save and has now gone 17 straight scoreless innings versus the Bronx Bombers.
“It’s electric,” said Osuna, who is 4-for-4 in career post-season save situations. “It’s not easy to pitch here and the fans are a little bit much at times. It’s definitely not easy, but it’s rewarding when you go out there with one gone and get the job done.”