The dynamic duo of Ryan Pressly and Josh Hader couldn’t deliver

When the Astros signed Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million deal in January, it seemed like the final piece in building a truly elite bullpen.

Incumbent closer Ryan Pressly has been one of baseball’s best relievers for several straight years, including a 2023 season in which he recorded 31 saves with a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 in 65 appearances.

However, it was the thing that was responsible for the loss in Game 2:

• In short: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 ER
• Hader: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 ER

Pressly left with two outs and runners on first and second base in the eighth inning after allowing the tying run to score on a passed ball. Hader then walked Spencer Torkelson before giving up a three-run, pinch-hit double to Andy Ibáñez.

Just another tandem that looked like it might be the best in baseball when the season started was responsible for an early exit in the playoffs.

Hunter Brown is the ace of the Houston Staff

Stat line: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K

Justin Verlander is a future Hall of Famer and Framber Valdez is a bona fide frontline starter in his own right, but the future ace of the Houston Astros staff is right-hander Hunter Brown.

After a rough start to the 2024 season, posting a 7.71 ERA through his first nine appearances, Brown turned a corner with a quality start against the Los Angeles Angels on May 22. From there he went 10-5 with a 2.31. ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 132.2 innings, logging 18 quality starts in 22 appearances.

The 26-year-old is controllable through the 2028 season, and with Verlander and Valdez both potentially gone after 2025, Brown is the ace ready to lead Houston’s staff after a stellar first career playoff start, where the the only mistake he made was a solo home run to Parker Meadows.

The end of the Alex Bregman era?

A routine groundball to third base for the second of the eighth inning.

Will this be the last time we see Alex Bregman in the batter’s box in an Astros uniform?

The longtime Astros third baseman is set to hit free agency this winter, and if Wednesday was indeed his last game in Houston, he’ll leave with two World Series rings, 1,132 hits, 191 home runs and 39.6 WAR left nine seasons.

He provided plenty of memorable playoff moments while hitting 19 home runs in 99 career postseason games and will go down as one of the best players in franchise history.