Second batting title in reach for Altuve

HOUSTON — There was much drama in the American League batting race two years ago, when Jose Altuve entered the final day with a slim lead over the Tigers’ Victor Martinez and was originally going to be held out of the lineup for the Astros’ regular-season finale at Citi Field against the Mets.

Then-interim manager Tom Lawless called Altuve into his office just prior to the start of the game, because the team decided Altuve should play. He went 2-for-4 in an 8-3 loss, but he finished with a .341 batting average to win the team’s first batting title, and he set a club record with 225 hits.

Altuve enters this weekend’s final series in Anaheim against the Angels as near lock to win his second batting title in three seasons. He’s hitting .337, which leads Red Sox teammates Mookie Betts (.320) and Dustin Pedroia (.319). Altuve also leads the Major Leagues with 212 hits, just one ahead of Betts.

“I don’t know if I’m going to win it,” Altuve said following Wednesday’s loss to the Mariners in the Astros’ home finale. “We still have three games left, and I’ve got to hit. It’s tough to think about a batting title when we’re three games, 3 …

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