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The dynamic duo of Ryan Pressly and Josh Hader failed to deliver

When the Astros signed Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million contract in January, it appeared to be the final step in building a truly elite bullpen.

Incumbent closer Ryan Pressly has been one of the best relievers in baseball for several consecutive years, including the 2023 season in which he recorded 31 saves in 65 appearances with a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.2 K/ 9 recorded.

However, it was the reason for the loss in Game 2:

• Pressly: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 ER
• Hader: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 ER

Pressly retired in the eighth inning with two outs and runners on first and second after allowing the game-winning run to score on a passed ball. Hader then walked Spencer Torkelson before allowing a three-run, pinch-hit double to Andy Ibáñez.

Just like that, a tandem that looked like it would be the best in baseball early in the season was responsible for an early exit from the playoffs.

Hunter Brown is the ace of the Houston staff

Stat line: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K

Justin Verlander is a future Hall of Famer and Framber Valdez is a true frontline starter in his own right, but the future ace of the Houston Astros team is right-hander Hunter Brown.

After a rocky start to the 2024 season that saw him post a 7.71 ERA in his first nine appearances, Brown turned things around with a good start against the Los Angeles Angels on May 22. From that point on, he had a 10-5 ERA of 2.31, a 1.09 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 132.2 innings, 18 quality starts in 22 outings.

The 26-year-old is manageable through the 2028 season, and with both Verlander and Valdez potentially out after 2025, Brown is after a terrific playoff start in his first career in which he made the only mistake Ace made in hopes of leading Houston's team was a solo home run to Parker Meadows.

The end of the Alex Bregman era?

A routine groundball to third base in the second of the eighth inning.

Will this be the last time we see Alex Bregman in the batter's box in an Astros uniform?

The Astros' long-time third baseman will hit free agency this winter, and if Wednesday was indeed his final game in Houston, he will have two World Series rings, 1,132 hits, 191 home runs and 39.6 WAR in nine seasons leave.

He provided many memorable playoff moments while hitting 19 home runs in 99 career postseason games and will go down as one of the greatest players in franchise history.