Houston Astros

Houston Astros: The curious World Series case of Norichika Aoki

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:05 p.m. ET

Fansided, Keaton Moore/FanSided via Call to the Pen

Well experienced in missing out on the postseason, the Houston Astros' Norichika Aoki looks to finally break his World Series misfortunes.

The only thing worse for a ballplayer than battling through the postseason only to lose the World Series is to watch your former team win it all once you adopt another uniform.

Nori Aoki has lived both scenarios during the first six seasons of his career. Prior to the 2015 season, Aoki has made a move away from a team that went on to win the World Series the year following his departure.

Fresh from being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers in 2013, Aoki helped the Royals sweep their way to the 2014 World Series. However, the San Francisco Giants spoiled Aoki's first World Series appearance by taking Game 7 and winning the Fall Classic.

Two months later, Aoki penned a one-year deal with the Giants for 2015, without any apparent knowledge of their even-year magic. Sure enough, the Giants missed out on the postseason and Aoki watched his former team – the Royals – win the 2015 World Series.

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Naturally, when 2015 came to an end, those familiar with Aoki's poor luck predicted the Giants to win World Series based on the Japanese outfielder's signing with the Seattle Mariners in 2016.

Although the Giants did maintain their even-year magic with another postseason appearance, their streak came to an end at the hands of the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS.

Houston to the rescue

Seeing his consistent offensive numbers in Seattle, the Houston Astros selected Aoki off waivers last offseason and now the stars are appearing to align for Aoki to finally win the World Series, after missing out in such unfortunate fashion.

Despite a recent downward trend, Aoki is coming through for the Astros and rounding out their lineup. Aoki finished April with a .309/.360/.412 slash line with six RBI primarily in the ninth spot in the lineup. Although a .204 batting average in May knocked his season average to .257, Aoki is 4-for-11 in his last three games.

Meanwhile, the Astros are off to one of the best starts in franchise history. With their dramatic 11-run eighth inning rally against the Minnesota Twins on Monday, the Astros lead the major leagues at 36-16 and are 10.5 games ahead in the AL West.

Even before their strong start to the season, many in baseball, including Ben Reiter from Sports Illustrated, predicted the Astros to be the 2017 World Series champions. Although there is still plenty of season left to be played, the Astros appear to be the cure for Aoki's flip-flopping postseason luck.