SOLID BULLPEN BRIDGE
Graveman, traded from Mariners, has been a reliable option during the postseason
Kendall Graveman is one of the few Astros not accustomed to playing deep into October.
At the center of the American League Championship Series’ most electrifying moment Friday night, Graveman said catcher Martín Maldonado throwing out Boston’s Alex Verdugo to complete a strikeout/caught stealing double play to end the seventh inning and the ensuing eruption from the Minute Maid Park stands provided the biggest adrenaline rush he has experienced in the majors.
“For Maldy to execute the throw to second … man, the place went nuts,” Graveman said. “You kind of lose sight of what’s going on for a second.”
Graveman, acquired by the Astros from Seattle on July 27, three days before baseball’s trade deadline, has emerged as a key bullpen piece in Houston’s third World Series trip in four seasons.
His first time pitching in the postseason has been the latest twist in a career that included missing the 2019 season following Tommy John surgery and then the longtime starter becoming a dominant reliever with the Mariners this season with a 0.82 ERA and holding opponents to a .136 average.
The trade rocked the Mariners’ clubhouse at the time, and Graveman was emotional in the wake of the deal, expressing his shock at being moved. His numbers after the trade weren’t as gaudy: a 3.13 ERA and 12 walks in 23 innings with Houston.
His postseason started on an ominous note when he gave up a run in the Division Series opener against the White Sox, something that might be attributed to the crucible of postseason play. Graveman, 30, is one of just four Astros players who’d yet to log playoff time entering this season.
“There was some nerves — I mean, we’re human, right?” Graveman said before Game 3 of the ALCS. “It’s a big environment and a big stage, but I think the experience has really helped with that, especially going into this series. So I think guys that are fortunate enough to play in the postseason, as many of our guys on our team have, then the excitement goes up, and the nerves go down, and it’s just kind of an exciting day to show up to the park.
“A little bit more exciting than the regular 162. So the intensity shows up, and I think the focus is a little bit more. I think that’s something that I’ve learned as it’s the second series in the postseason for me.”
Since that opening hiccup, Graveman has been a solid bridge option to closer Ryan Pressly. He’s worked six shutout
innings during his past five outings, with perhaps the biggest in Tuesday’s Game 4 at Boston.
On that night, he worked two innings for the first time since April 3, entering with a one-run deficit and then keeping the score level after the Astros tied it on Jose Altuve’s eighth-inning homer. They won it in the ninth to even the series.
“It’s just the next-man-up mentality,” Graveman said. “When you’re feeling a little bit depleted on the energy side and a little fatigued, it comes down to location. I thought we did an outstanding job of locating pitches.
“I thought we ran away from contact and ran out of the zone in the first couple games. We neutralized a great offense from the Red Sox. I commend them — they’re a worthy opponent. And I thought we executed pitches very well the last few games.”
Graveman might end up being an Astros rental. He’s in line to be a free agent, and an impressive season figures to set him up for a contract better than the oneyear, $1.5 million deal he signed with the Mariners last offseason.
But as he took in his first pennant-clinching experience, Graveman enjoyed the moment while keeping an eye on the prize that still awaits.
“For me, every game that I showed up to the field, I had a different emotion,” he said. “And some days a little more — I don’t know if nervous is the right word — but just anticipating to pitch and then some days super excited and happy to be in the moment.
“We’ll enjoy (winning the ALCS), but I still think my mind is so focused on winning four more games. I’m excited to be representing the American League in the World Series, but there’s still a goal and a task at hand, and that’s to win four more games.”