Astros Closer Ryan Pressly to Lead Texas Showdown in ALCS
HOUSTON — Ryan Pressly, the Astros closer, is gearing up to represent the Lone Star State in the highly anticipated American League Championship Series (ALCS) in 2023. With his Texas roots running deep, Pressly’s connection to his home state goes beyond his birthplace. From tattoos of the state on his back to his signature cowboy boots, Pressly is the epitome of the Texan spirit.
Adding to his Texan tale, Pressly’s wife, Kat, is a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader who hails from Houston. The couple’s allegiance to Texas is undeniable, and they are hoping to lead the Astros to victory over their rivals, the Rangers, in this Texas-sized ALCS. With home-field advantage in the best-of-seven series, the Astros will kick off Game 1 at Minute Maid Park on Sunday night.
Pressly, known for his success in high-pressure situations, will be a crucial asset in the Astros’ quest for their third consecutive World Series appearance. With 13 postseason saves under his belt, Pressly ranks fifth in Major League history for most postseason saves, trailing legendary pitchers like Mariano Rivera, Kenley Jansen, Brad Lidge, and Dennis Eckersley. Impressively, Pressly remains unmatched in terms of saves without a blown save in the postseason, going a perfect 6-for-6 in last year’s World Series run.
“I think it’s just another game,” Pressly humbly remarked about his postseason success. “You try to keep things as simple as you possibly can when you’re out there. You don’t want to try to do too much or overthink things. It’s just the same game, like I said earlier this year. It’s just a lot more people are watching.”
Drafted by the Red Sox in 2007, Pressly’s journey led him from Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, to becoming a vital part of the Astros bullpen. After a less-than-stellar debut against the Rangers in 2018, Pressly recalibrated his pitching style, harnessing his spin rate and dominating the game. This transformation earned him a place in the Astros’ closer role in 2020, solidifying his reputation as one of the most dominant relievers in baseball.
Achieving milestones along the way, Pressly recently celebrated his 100th save with the Astros, becoming the fourth pitcher in club history to reach this significant mark. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, as he has been selected for two All-Star teams and holds the record for the longest scoreless-appearance streak in Major League history, with 40 consecutive games without giving up a run.
Reflecting on his achievements, Pressly shared the wisdom his father passed down to him: “Just keep your head down, and then when you look up at the end of your career, you’ll see what you’ve done.” Grateful for reaching the 100-save milestone, Pressly recognized the powerful impact of being part of a team like the Astros.
As the Astros prepare to face off against the Rangers in the ALCS, Pressly’s devotion to his home state and his team will be on full display. With his iconic cowboy boots prominently symbolizing his journey, Pressly will continue to make an indelible mark on Texas baseball as he leads the Astros on their quest for championship glory.