Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday his ideal lineup has Tucker hitting cleanup, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker has primarily hit fifth or sixth in his big-league career, though he split his time evenly between the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 spots last season. The 27-year-old has been one of the most consistent offensive producers in baseball and hit .284 with 29 homers, 112 RBI, 97 runs and 30 steals in 2023, and he's set up for another big year while batting behind Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman.

Tucker said Monday regarding a potential contact extension with the Astros that there's been "maybe a little talk, but not a hard offer," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker will earn $12 million in 2024 and has one additional year of arbitration eligibility remaining before free agency. General manager Dana Brown went on record last week saying that the team would make Tucker a long-term contract offer at some point, but it does not appear to have happened yet. Tucker slashed .284/.369/.517 with 29 homers and 112 RBI for Houston in 2023.

Tucker signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After slashing .284/.369/.517 with 29 homers and a career-high 112 RBI, Tucker has earned a $7 million raise. The 26-year-old All-Star boasts an .852 OPS in his MLB career and has shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Tucker has just one more season of arbitration eligibility left before he'll be able to enter the open market in 2026, though Houston may try to sign Tucker to a long-term extension before then.

Tucker will bat sixth again Thursday in Game 4 of the ALCS versus the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker was dropped to the sixth spot in the lineup for Game 3 on Wednesday and went 1-for-2 with a double, three walks and two runs scored as the Astros earned their first win of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series. He hit third and fifth, respectively, in Games 1 and 2 while going 0-for-8 with no walks and a strikeout.

Tucker will start in right field and bat sixth Wednesday in Game 3 of the ALCS versus the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

This is the lowest lineup spot of the year for Tucker, including both the regular season and postseason. He's gone 0-for-8 through the first two games of the Astros' ALCS matchup against the Rangers and is 2-for-22 (.091) overall in the playoffs. Michael Brantley will jump to the two-hole Wednesday as Houston faces right-hander Max Scherzer and tries to avoid going down 0-3 in the best-of-seven series.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said he is considering dropping Tucker down in the lineup for Wednesday's ALCS Game 3 versus the Rangers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baker noted that it would only be a "temporary" move, designed to take some pressure off the struggling 26-year-old outfielder. Tucker has gone 2-for-22 (.091) with seven strikeouts through six games this postseason while batting between the No. 3 and No. 5 spots in the Astros' order. Houston is currently in an 0-2 hole in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series and will have to tangle with the returning Max Scherzer (shoulder) in Game 3.

Tucker went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker's steal was his 30th of the year, extending his career high this year. He's batted .267 (12-for-45) with eight extra-base hits over his last 12 contests. For the season, Tucker has a .282/.369/.512 slash line, 29 home runs, 111 RBI and 95 runs scored through 156 games. Given that the AL West title is still up for grabs, expect Tucker and most of Houston's other regulars in the lineup for the regular-season finale Sunday.

Tucker went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Monday's 5-1 win over the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker has had some patience at the plate with four walks over his last five games, though he's gone just 3-for-16 in that span. The outfielder's homer was his 29th of the season, putting him one shy of matching his total from each of the last two years. He's also logged 29 stolen bases while posting a strong .281/.367/.514 slash line with 110 RBI and 92 runs scored over 152 contests.

Tucker went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, one RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Tucker has hit safely in 13 of 19 games in September, but he's batting just .214 (15-for-70) this month. He's also picked up three steals this month, giving him 29 in 34 attempts this season. The star outfielder is batting .282 with an .878 OPS, 28 home runs, 109 RBI, 90 runs scored, 33 doubles and four triples over 150 games. With a little over a week left in the season, he still has a chance at securing his first 30-30 campaign.

Tucker is getting the day off Sunday against the Royals, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

EDGE Analysis

Michael Brantley, Jake Meyers and Chas McCormick will start across the outfield as the Astros try to avoid being swept in Kansas City. Tucker went 1-for-8 with a walk and two strikeouts over the first two games of the three-game weekend series.