HOUSTON — Yordan Álvarez didn’t just hit his 10th home run of the 2024 MLB season on Sunday — he announced himself as the most feared slugger in baseball right now.
The Cuban-born designated hitter for the Houston Astros launched a 422-foot shot off St. Louis Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero in the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park, clearing the left-field wall with a blast that registered 111.2 mph exit velocity according to Statcast. It was his 10th homer in just 28 games this season — a pace that puts him on track for nearly 60 over a full campaign.
“He’s not just hitting home runs,” said Astros manager Joe Espinoza after the 6-3 Houston win. “He’s changing the game with one swing. Opposing pitchers grasp if they leave anything over the plate, it’s gone.”
Álvarez’s blast came with one out and Kyle Tucker on first, turning a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 lead. The Astros never looked back, holding on behind a strong start from Framber Valdez and a late-inning shutout by Ryan Pressly.
The home run was Álvarez’s fourth in his last six games and his third against the Cardinals this season. He now leads the American League in home runs, RBI (31), and slugging percentage (.689), and ranks second in OPS (1.042) behind only teammate José Altuve.
What makes Álvarez’s start even more remarkable is the context. After missing the first month of the season with a left wrist strain sustained during spring training, he returned on April 20 and has since hit .342 with 10 homers, 22 RBI, and a 1.086 OPS in just 28 games.
“I felt good coming back,” Álvarez said through interpreter Henry Puebla. “I knew I had to make up for lost time. But I wasn’t pressing. I just wanted to witness the ball well and trust my swing.”
His production has been a catalyst for Houston’s resurgence. The Astros, who began the season 9-12, have gone 18-7 since Álvarez’s return, jumping into second place in the AL West behind only the Texas Rangers. Houston now sits at 27-19, just 1.5 games behind first place.
Álvarez’s power surge comes at a critical juncture. With star third baseman Alex Bregman dealing with lingering back tightness and outfielder Chas McCormick recently placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain, the Astros have leaned heavily on their core of Álvarez, Altuve, and Tucker.
“When Yordan’s hot, we’re tough to beat,” said Altuve. “He protects everyone in the lineup. Pitchers can’t pitch around him because Tucker’s behind him, and they can’t pitch to Tucker because Yordan’s coming up next. It’s a nightmare.”
The Astros’ offense has ranked in the top five in MLB in runs scored since Álvarez’s return, averaging 5.8 runs per game — up from 4.1 before his activation. His presence has also elevated the performance of those around him; Tucker has hit .310 with 8 homers in the same span, and Altuve has raised his average to .333.
Álvarez’s 10-homer pace is historic. Only three players in Astros history have reached 10 home runs in fewer games: Aaron Judge (2017, 25 games), George Springer (2019, 26 games), and Álvarez himself in 2022 (27 games). His current pace of 10 homers in 28 games matches his 2022 surge, when he finished the season with 37.
What separates Álvarez from other power hitters is his plate discipline. Despite his aggression, he’s walked 16 times this season and struck out just 22 times in 112 plate appearances — a 14.3% walk rate, and 19.6% strikeout rate, both better than his career averages.
“He’s not just swinging for the fences,” said ESPN analyst Jessica Mendoza during the broadcast. “He’s laying off pitches out of the zone, working counts, and then punishing mistakes. That’s what makes him elite.”
The Cardinals, who entered the series 21-25, were unable to contain Álvarez’s heat. Romero, who entered the game with a 3.86 ERA, threw a 94 mph sinker that Álvarez deposited into the left-field seats. It was Romero’s second home run allowed in 10 appearances this month.
St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol acknowledged the challenge after the game. “You can’t pitch around him. You have to make quality pitches. He didn’t get one tonight — he got a good pitch to hit and he did damage.”
Álvarez’s impact extends beyond the box score. His quiet, focused demeanor in the clubhouse has made him a respected leader despite his relatively low public profile. He rarely gives extended interviews, preferring to let his bat do the talking.
“He leads by example,” said Valdez. “You see him in the cage early, staying late, working on his timing. When you have a guy like that producing at this level, it raises the whole team.”
Looking ahead, the Astros face a critical stretch: four games against the Seattle Mariners, followed by a three-game series in Modern York against the Yankees. Álvarez will be central to Houston’s hopes of maintaining pressure on the Rangers and securing a favorable playoff seeding.
As of Monday morning, Álvarez is batting .342 with a 1.086 OPS, 10 home runs, 31 RBI, and a .438 on-base percentage — numbers that, if sustained, would put him in MVP conversation.
“I’m just trying to help the team win,” Álvarez said. “If the homers come, great. But I desire to contribute in any way I can — getting on base, moving runners, playing hard.”
For now, the Astros will enjoy the ride. With Álvarez swinging like this, Houston’s offense feels nearly unstoppable.
The next checkpoint: Tuesday’s series opener against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, first pitch at 6:40 p.m. PT (1:40 a.m. UTC).
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