Astros manager A.J. Hinch spoke Saturday about the benefits of having Jose Altuve lead off and George Springer bat second.
"I like that combo," Hinch said, per MLB.com. "Hitting after Altuve, a lot of times it's an RBI situation, even with him on first base or if he steals second or steals third. We need all of our spots to be very, very productive. The batting order, as fascinated as everybody is about it, it's one time through the order and then it's a little more random than people give credit.
"I think for [Springer] to hit in the first inning right behind Altuve, who does a pretty good job of getting on base, he's a real threat behind him to be put in a really good position. When the lineup rolls around with runners on base and the lineup flipping over, I'll take Altuve and Springer with RBI opportunities."