Does Illness Explain Alvarez's Lackluster Results in Game 1 of ALCS?

The Houston Astros will need their superstar to dig deep in the matchup against the Texas Rangers as he's reportedly dealing with a virus that has affected him during the ALCS so far.

The Houston Astros did not look like themselves on Sunday during their 2-0 loss in Game 1 of the ALCS.

Getting shoutout, only managing five hits against a left-handed pitcher and not delivering during clutch moments was strange to see for a team who has built a reputation as primetime performers.

On the flip side, maybe the Astros did look like themselves on Sunday since they have struggled at home all season long.

Regardless, they're now trailing the series 1-0 and will need a bounce back performance on Monday to ensure they don't hit the road down 2-0.

One of more notable things that came out of the loss was Yordan Alvarez looking completely lost at the plate after dominating the ALDS round against the Minnesota Twins.

In four at-bats, Houston's star slugger went 0-4, including striking out three times.

Now, according to reports, there is a reason for that.

Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that Alvarez is dealing with a virus that has given him an upset stomach and headaches. This kept him out of the introductions before Game 1.

Prior to the star of this series, the lefty was hitting .438/.471/1.313 with four home runs and six RBI in four games.

Something was clearly affecting Alvarez in the first game and now it's known what was the issue.

This seemingly will be something he deals with in Game 2 as well, but manager Dusty Baker says he could be getting closer to recovery.

"He's fine. He's better today than he was yesterday. And like I was telling somebody yesterday, as a responsible man, a family man, you go to work, you know? And I never saw my dad in the bed ever sick, and I'm sure he was sick. And sometimes, as a man, you just go to work," Baker said to Brian McTaggert of MLB.com.

The Astros will get Tuesday off before hitting the road to face the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

Whether Alvarez will be over the virus by then is to be seen.