HOUSTON -- The Astros clinched one of their two World Series championships at home, which came in 2022, when they tore through the postseason and beat the Phillies in six games in the Fall Classic. The final out is etched in the minds of Astros fans forever, with Kyle Tucker racing into foul territory in right field to catch a ball on a pitch thrown by closer Ryan Pressly.
Tucker and Pressly were integral parts of the Astros’ success over the last few years. Tucker was a can’t-miss prospect who ascended into the one of the top outfielders in baseball. Pressly came over in a trade in 2018 and eventually took over as closer. They’re deeply woven into the club’s history, which is why their return this weekend at Daikin Park as members of the Cubs was so meaningful.
“I’m excited for those guys,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “Those guys, what they did for this organization -- they’re great human beings -- and what they did for our community. Looking forward to seeing them.”
Tucker and Pressly were both traded to the Cubs following last season in separate deals. With Tucker set to become a free agent following this season, the Astros opted to get something in return and dealt him in December for prospect Cam Smith, third baseman Isaac Paredes and pitcher Hayden Wesneski.
The following month, the Astros sent Pressly to the Cubs in a money-saving move. The trade came one offseason after the Astros signed free agent closer Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million contract, which bumped Pressly from the closer role he held the previous four seasons. Pressly took the move in stride publicly, but general manager Dana Brown admitted their relationship had become fractured.
All that was water under the bridge Friday with Tucker and Pressly exchanging smiles and hugs with familiar faces from their time in Houston. They were honored pregame with a video.
“There’s a lot of really good memories here, and we had a lot of success playing in this city and on this field,” Tucker said. “The biggest thing is just being around the guys in those moments. Obviously, now I’m on the other side, and hopefully now we can come out with some wins and have a good flight back to Chicago.”
Tucker has been terrific in a Cubs uniform. Coming into Friday, he had a slash line of .287/.395/.527 with 16 home runs, 49 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. He’s not surprised the Astros have continued to win despite losing him, third baseman Alex Bregman (free agency) and slugger Yordan Alvarez (injury). Tucker received a huge ovation prior to this first at-bat Friday and tipped his hat while his familiar walk-up music played.
“They figure out ways to win and still continue to have success,” Tucker said. “I’ve been pretty close to some of them for numerous amounts of years, and it’s not just baseball. It’s stuff outside the field, too. It’s cool they’re having success and stuff, but obviously, I don’t really hope that this series and just hope we come out and have a good series for the fans.”
Pressly, who saved 111 games in the regular season for the Astros and 14 more in the playoffs, entered Friday having not a allowed an earned run in 27 of 29 appearances since April 1, posting a 3.33 ERA in that span. Pressly makes his home in Houston, so it was a homecoming for him in more ways than one.
“A lot of memories of being out on that field, a lot of lifetime friends made on the other side as well,” he said. “I always root for these guys. They’re great teammates. I was super fortunate and blessed to share a clubhouse with a couple of those guys who were pretty much legends over there in the city.”
The trade has worked out well for both teams. Smith made the club out of Spring Training and was hitting cleanup Friday, while Paredes had a .820 OPS and 130 OPS+ with 16 homers. Tucker’s 3.7 fWAR is seventh-best in the Majors this season, though Paredes (2.6) and Smith (1.3) have combined for a 3.9 fWAR. (Wesneski is out following Tommy John surgery.)
“It’s fun to watch players like this,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said pregame Friday. “This is why we come to games, to watch players like Kyle. I’m not really hoping for Josh Hader in the game today, but I think Astros fans might want that matchup today. It’s to see moments like that and to see great players go against each other. And Kyle’s one of those guys. Don’t miss the at-bat.”