Peña’s breakout season defines the Astros’ 2024 narrative. An All-Star turn, a .304/.363/.477 line, 132 OPS+, and top-8 WAR among AL position players highlight a leap that survived 125 games and two injuries. His leadoff-spot surge and a swing that stays short fueled power (17 homers) and elite contact, especially against four-seam fastballs. Houston still squeezed 5.8 WAR from its shortstops and rode a productive offense to a 70-55 mark when Peña played.

Behind Peña, the supporting cast at short—Dubón, Short, and Correa—held the fort, while the lineup endured injuries that tested its depth. Peña’s changes, from a more open stance to pre-pitch tweaks, paired with high contact and better plate discipline to drive a season that could echo in arbitration talks and a potential long-term extension.

Defensively, Peña was sturdy, with positive runs saved and improved throwing, even if range dipped slightly. His injury-riddled stretch and a late oblique issue tempered the finish, but the overall arc remains the story: Peña raised his floor, his power and contact stayed elite, and the Astros’ 2024 season leaned on his continued development as a cornerstone piece.

Pitching mastery anchors this week’s League Championship Series, with Yamamoto vs Peralta in NLCS Game 2 and Kirby vs Bieber in ALCS Game 3. Castillo relays in for Game 4 while Snell eyes another marquee showing in NLCS. Sasaki looms as the Dodgers’ late‑game disruptor, and the bullpen becomes as pivotal as the starters. Home-field, lineup quirks, and split‑season form shape the fantasy outlook as teams chase a World Series berth.

Depth and leverage pitching dominate the storylines: Yamamoto’s upside tests Milwaukee, Bieber’s experience counters Seattle’s offense, and Castillo’s steadiness could bridge to Game 5 if needed. Dodgers’ bullpen clarity, Snell’s rhythm, and Sasaki’s willingness to pitch big spots will swing late‑inning dominance, making every start a high‑stakes fantasy play.