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If Westburg’s play not made was mental, the result of a bad choice about where to throw the ball, Altuve’s was physical. Once a good defender at second, at 34 he’s lost many steps. By DRS, he’s cost the Astros 13 to 15 runs a year every year since 2022, rating last among all second basemen in each of the three seasons. Statcast is slightly more generous, pegging Altuve as ninth-worst of 34 qualified second basemen over the last three seasons, though 36th of 37, ahead of only Jorge Polanco, this year. For the specific play in question, going to his left, Altuve rated as the second-worst second baseman in the game.
