The Houston Astros will turn to Cristian Javier as its starting pitcher in the decisive Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park.
Javier, the Game 3 winner when the defending World Series champions won 8-5, will take the mound again for Houston on Monday night.
The 26-year-old right-hander is 6-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 16 postseason games, winning all four of his starts. He has allowed only five hits and two runs over 22 innings in those four starts, including two runs and three hits over 5 2/3 innings earlier in this series.
“My thought process is to stay positive and go out and just compete,” Javier said, adding that Game 7 wouldn't feel any different. “Not really. It’s just the same game. Same people. Just got to go out there and compete. Nothing different.”
Javier set a franchise record for the defending champion Astros by extending his postseason scoreless streak to 20 1/3 innings. His streak ended in the fifth of Game 3 when rookie Josh Jung hit the first of his pair of two-run homers.
What is Cristian Javier's nickname on the Astros?
Javier is often referred to as "El Reptil," or "the reptile," due to his calm nature on the mound when pitching. The moniker, which was given to him by his teammates, also applies to his demeanor off the field.
Fans will get to see "El Reptil" in an Astros uniform for several more years after he signed a five-year extension in the offseason. He started two no-hitters in 2022, including one in the World Series.