After Joc Pederson declared the Astros' dominance in the AL West was "coming to an end" in his Rangers' press conference, Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez fired back with a bold and somewhat crude statement. "I take bigger dumps than him," Alvarez was quoted saying, in what appears to be a dismissal of Pederson's claim and an assertion of his own prowess, albeit in an unconventional manner.
When it comes to the diamond, Alvarez's stats dwarf Pederson's in almost every hitting category:
Batting Average: Alvarez has maintained a career average over .300, showcasing his consistency at the plate. Pederson, while respectable, lags behind with an average in the .260s.
Home Runs: Alvarez's power is undeniable, with a career slugging percentage well over .600. His home run totals are significantly higher per at-bat compared to Pederson.
On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS): Alvarez's OPS hovers around 1.000, a mark of an elite hitter. Pederson's OPS, while solid, doesn't reach these heights.
Cancun Stats: Although not officially recognized, Alvarez's mythical Cancun numbers (.560 average, 69 HR, 3.456 SLG) add a layer of humor to the rivalry, suggesting even vacation doesn't dull his bat.
The Astros' locker room seemed unfazed by Pederson's bold prediction:
Jose Altuve: "Joc's just trying to make headlines. We're focused on our game, not his words."
Jeremy Pena: Laughed off the comment, saying, "He changes teams more often than his socks, let him talk."
Christian Walker: The newest Astro, Walker, who's no stranger to rivalry himself, remarked, "Joc's like the team slut, always looking for a new roster to join. We're here to win, not to entertain his antics."
As of now, Joc Pederson has not publicly responded to Alvarez's provocative statement. Whether this silence is strategic or simply a lack of comeback remains to be seen.
The war of words between Alvarez and Pederson adds a spicy subplot to what was already an anticipated AL West showdown. While Alvarez's comment might be dismissed as locker room banter, it underscores a confidence in the Astros' lineup, a team that's been at the pinnacle of the division for years. As the new season approaches, fans will be watching not just for home runs, but for who might indeed "take the bigger dump" in terms of performance on the field.
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