Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers said Wednesday the team does not have any sort of vendetta as their playoff journey continues.
Andy Martino of SNY reported Astros players were “telling people behind the scenes” they were eager to “avenge” themselves against critics and doubters.
McCullers called the report “fake news,” adding the Astros are motivated enough by the opportunity to compete in October.
This is such fake news. We just here to play ball. We are focused and into the idea of winning… because it’s the playoffs. https://t.co/baIAx9oWdm
— Lance McCullers Jr. (@lmccullers43) October 7, 2020
The Astros organization has been under fire all season after last fall's revelations they used video technology to decode signs during their 2017 championship season.
Numerous players and executives around the league chastised Houston during the aftermath, with the Astros also firing former manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow.
Astros stars faced some retribution during spring training when some hitters were plunked, and Houston was also involved in multiple bench-clearing incidents this year. It seemed the ‘Stros have taken on the villain role.
Indeed, shortstop Carlos Correa hinted as much after Houston defeated the Minnesota Twins in the Wild Card round, asking what more the critics have in store if the Astros keep winning.
However, McCullers suggested the organization is motivated by winning, not some notion of revenge or vindictiveness. The Astros have certainly done plenty of winning thus far.
After sweeping past the Twins, Houston took the first two games of its ALDS matchup with the Oakland Athletics, and can advance to the ALCS with a win in Game 3 on Wednesday.
The Astros entered the postseason with a losing record. But they have seized the opportunity in the postseason, and are now on the doorstep of another their fourth straight ALCS berth.
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