Isaac Paredes Returning for Astros Ahead of Crucial Mariners Series

The Houston Astros are gearing up for one of their most important series of the 2024 season. They’ll face the Seattle Mariners with the American League West title hanging in the balance.

Houston made key roster moves ahead of the matchup that could shake up their playoff push. All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes returns from the injured list, giving the team a much-needed boost.

But there’s a catch. Slugger Yordan Alvarez just landed on the IL with a serious ankle injury.

These changes, plus possible lineup shifts, set the stage for a dramatic weekend. The playoff stakes? Couldn’t be higher.

Astros Welcome Back Isaac Paredes

Isaac Paredes is finally back after missing time since July 19 with a strained right hamstring. Before he went down, Paredes put together a strong season—he hit .259, got on base at a .359 clip, and slugged .470.

He racked up 19 home runs, 50 RBIs, and posted an impressive 128 OPS+. That made him one of Houston’s most productive hitters in 2024.

Paredes’ 2.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) says a lot about his value. His first half was so good, it earned him his first career American League All-Star selection.

Impact on the Lineup

Paredes’ return gives the Astros some real options. Newly acquired Carlos Correa has been steady at third base over the past month.

Now, Houston might split time between Correa and Paredes at third, or rotate one into the designated hitter spot. That could help keep everyone fresh for the stretch run.

Yordan Alvarez Hits the IL

Paredes coming back is great, but Houston also got bad news. Yordan Alvarez—their main designated hitter and one of the league’s scariest bats—was placed on the injured list with a significant ankle injury.

No one’s sure when he’ll return. There’s real worry that his season could be at risk.

The DH Situation Without Alvarez

Alvarez’s absence leaves a big hole in the lineup. The Astros might try Paredes or Correa at DH, but let’s be honest, filling Alvarez’s shoes for power won’t be easy.

They’ll have to lean on other bats in the middle of the order to keep the offense rolling.

Additional Roster Moves

Besides swapping Paredes for Alvarez on the active roster, Houston made another move. Pitcher Kaleb Ort was transferred to the 60-day injured list, clearing a spot for Paredes.

Ort hasn’t played a big role this year, but it just shows how every roster move counts with the playoff race this tight.

The Stakes Against Seattle

This weekend, the Astros and Mariners are tied for the AL West lead. Both teams have identical records.

The winner of this head-to-head showdown grabs first place and the season series tiebreaker. That tiebreaker could be huge if things stay close.

With stars returning, injuries looming, and the lineup in flux, every pitch in this series feels massive. It’s hard not to wonder who’ll blink first.

Key Storylines to Watch

• Can Isaac Paredes recapture his pre-injury form and give Houston the offensive spark they desperately need?
• How will the Astros fill the massive power gap left by Yordan Alvarez’s injury?
• Will the infield rotation between Paredes and Correa boost team chemistry—or just throw things off?
• Which team grabs the AL West tiebreaker and snags that crucial postseason edge?

The Astros are gearing up to face the Mariners, and honestly, all eyes are on how they’ll handle these lineup changes. October baseball is almost here, so every call and every at-bat feels huge right now.

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Here is the source article for this story: Astros All-Star returning from injury ahead of key series vs. Mariners