Chris Bassitt, the star pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, expressed his admiration for Houston Astros hitter and left fielder Yordan Alvarez after Alvarez hit two home runs. According to Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic, Bassitt praised Alvarez, acknowledging him as one of the top hitters in baseball.
He remarked on the challenge Alvarez presents, noting that Alvarez seems to have no significant weaknesses except perhaps against high four-seam fastballs, which Bassitt himself doesn’t throw. Despite this, Bassitt humorously admitted to Alvarez that even that isn’t much of a weakness.
Chris Bassitt to Yordan Alvarez: "You're fucking killing me, man"
Yordan is 8-for-18 with 5 HR in his career against Bassitt pic.twitter.com/NeYVp3gMuX
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 4, 2024
Alvarez, who serves as the designated hitter for the Astros, showcased his prowess with three extra-base hits and consistently impresses against Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt. In a light-hearted moment during the game, Bassitt jokingly remarked to Alvarez, “You’re really making things difficult for me.”
Alvarez has had notable success against Bassitt, boasting a record of 8-for-18 with 5 home runs. After the game, Alvarez mentioned that he wasn’t intentionally trying to dominate Bassitt, suggesting that it was Bassitt who seemed more focused on figuring out how to retire him. Their exchange, characterized by a mix of competitiveness and camaraderie, highlights a relationship that goes beyond mere on-field rivalry. This rivalry can be traced back to their encounters during the AL Division when Bassitt was with the Oakland Athletics.