Astros benched Jose Altuve with eye on preserving AL batting crown, change mind at last minute

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve insisted he wanted to win his AL batting title on his own. Unfortunately, his organization wasn't going to give him that opportunity originally on Sunday, instead electing to bench Altuve for their game against the New York Mets while he holds a precarious three-point edge over Victor Martinez of the Detroit Tigers.

But good news! About 20 minutes before first pitch on Sunday, the Astros have changed their minds. Altuve will play and determine his own his fate in the batting race.

Good for you, Jose Altuve!

Altuve will be coming off an 0-for-4 on Saturday night, which dropped his league-best average to .340. He has 223 hits overall, which far and away leads MLB. In fact, Michael Brantley of the Cleveland Indians became only the second player in the league to reach 200 hits on Saturday night. No other player will threaten that number.

On Sept. 16, Altuve set the Astros single-season hit record, passing Hall of Famer Craig Biggio.

He's had a banner season. Obviously it means a lot to the Astros that he wins the batting crown, which is understandable, but it seemed both silly and risky to not allow him to protect it on Sunday.

The only threat to Altuve's batting title is Victor Martinez, who obviously will be in the lineup as the Detroit Tigers look to clinch the AL Central. Martinez is hitting .337, but with a 3-for-3 day could have passed a "resting" Altuve by percentage points (.3404634 to .339939). That is certainly within the realm of possibility, and it would have been a disheartening way for Altuve's season to end.

Now, if it's to be lost, it will be lost by Altuve, as it should be.

It appears our message has been heard loud and clear.

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Mark Townsend

is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813