Inside the Astros

Houston Astros Star Altuve Should Have Huge Game Against Team USA in WBC Quarterfinal

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will be thrust into the spotlight on Saturday when Venezuela takes on Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals, a situation he thrives in.

Kade Kistner

Houston Astros Star Altuve Should Have Huge Game Against Team USA in WBC Quarterfinal
Houston Astros Star Altuve Should Have Huge Game Against Team USA in WBC Quarterfinal /
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Team Venezuela will faceoff against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals on Saturday evening. There are few certainties in life - death, taxes, and Houston Astros star Jose Altuve getting the start for Venezuela.

Altuve will once again be thrust into a massive moment, just months of coming off a World Series championship run. The pride he has in representing his home country is palpable and the desire to win a World Baseball Classic championship is among the most coveted accomplishments Altuve can achieve in his career. 

The second baseman thrives in the spotlight.

One factor that plays in Altuve's advantage on Friday is Team USA's starter Lance Lynn. Altuve is intimately familiar with him as Lynn pitched for the Texas Rangers, the Astros American League West rivals from 2019-20.

Altuve is 13-for-34 with two home runs and a 1.029 OPS against Lynn in his career. Let's just say he likes to face off against the big righty.

He will have his chance once again on Saturday as he looks to help Venezuela advance past the vaunted USA lineup and into the semifinals. 

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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