To the casual observer, the Houston Astros' 8-1 drubbing of the Toronto Blue Jays will look like just another blowout. However, the final score belies the true nature of the majority of the contest. Houston Astros@astrosWinsday.1994293Winsday. https://t.co/9lWSb5L5FyHouston clung to a 2-0 lead off of Jake Meyers' two-run double in the second inning over the next five frames until Toronto put together a serious rally in the eighth. Astros starter Luis Garcia left the game after seven innings of two-hit shutout balls and turned the ball over to reliever Rafael Montero. Montero was a disaster. He allowed two hits and two walks, along with one earned run, without logging an out. He was pulled from the game with the bases loaded as bullpen mate Bryan Abreu strode to the mound. Houston Astros@astrosLeft 'em stranded.2283234Left 'em stranded. https://t.co/dXIuUpK4DUAbreu faced the heart of the Blue Jays' order. Up first, George Springer singed a line drive right at Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman. One out. Next was Bo Bichette. Abreu struck him out swinging. Two out. With the Minute Maid Park crowd on its feet either cheering or praying, Abreu battled with one of the most feared hitters in MLB: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. It was a struggle, but Abreu eventually forced a harmless fly ball to Meyers in center field. Three out. Houston still leading 2-1.Brian McTaggart@brianmctaggartBryan Abreu with perhaps the biggest three outs of the Astros' season. He comes in with a one-run lead, the bases loaded and no outs and retires Springer, Bichette and Guerrero Jr. to keep the lead.946104Bryan Abreu with perhaps the biggest three outs of the Astros' season. He comes in with a one-run lead, the bases loaded and no outs and retires Springer, Bichette and Guerrero Jr. to keep the lead.jackson@foreverstrosBRYAN ABREU THE GREATEST RELIEF PITCHER IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HISTORY29518BRYAN ABREU THE GREATEST RELIEF PITCHER IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HISTORY https://t.co/nlAGGt9XzxJulia Morales@JuliaMoralesBryan Abreu, wow.56338Bryan Abreu, wow.From there, the Houston Astros offense took over. Punctuated by a three-run home run from Jeremy Pena, Houston posted six runs in the bottom of the eighth to put the game away. Despite the late offensive outburst, fans left for home still raving about Abreu's clutch performance when the game was still very much on the line. ap@ADPena8Bryan Abreu is the next big thing for our relief. So proud of his progress!1Bryan Abreu is the next big thing for our relief. So proud of his progress!N 🌧 🦇@NGLP124One of the best reliever appearances you’ll see so far this season. Bryan Abreu comes into the game with no outs and the bases loaded and has to face George Springer, Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero Jr And gets them all out. ABSOLUTE NAILS6712One of the best reliever appearances you’ll see so far this season. Bryan Abreu comes into the game with no outs and the bases loaded and has to face George Springer, Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero Jr And gets them all out. ABSOLUTE NAILS https://t.co/G26KCfHlxkThe Astros Locker WS Champs@TheAstrosLockerBryan Abreu just cleaned up a massive mess. Entered a 1-run game with nobody out and the bases loaded and gets through Springer, Bichette, and Guerrero Jr. The Astros tightrope out of danger. It’s 2-1 as we head to the bottom of the 8th!9310Bryan Abreu just cleaned up a massive mess. Entered a 1-run game with nobody out and the bases loaded and gets through Springer, Bichette, and Guerrero Jr. The Astros tightrope out of danger. It’s 2-1 as we head to the bottom of the 8th!It's not the first time that Abreu has wowed the Astros faithful. During Houston's run to the 2022 World Series championship, the 25-year-old reliever was lights out. In 10 postseason games, Abreu allowed just four hits, no earned runs, and struck out 19 batters in 1-1/3 innings. Ben DuBose@BenDuBoseBases loaded, 0 out, 1-run game for Bryan Abreu and he still put up a 0 against Springer, Bichette, and Vlad. Holy shit.19713Bases loaded, 0 out, 1-run game for Bryan Abreu and he still put up a 0 against Springer, Bichette, and Vlad. Holy shit.Astros Future@AstrosFutureNever forget Bryan Abreu’s 2022 post-season performance:10 G, 11.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 19 KThis included 5 scoreless innings with 9 strikeouts in the World Series! #Astros1489129Never forget Bryan Abreu’s 2022 post-season performance:10 G, 11.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 19 KThis included 5 scoreless innings with 9 strikeouts in the World Series! #Astros https://t.co/Ft975BviUVRobnCypress(insert blue check here)@robncypress2022 was the breakout season for Bryan Abreu, something that had been predicted for quite some time.Abreu was throwing 97-100 with an unhittable slider in the post season racking up 19 K’s in 11.1 IP.546482022 was the breakout season for Bryan Abreu, something that had been predicted for quite some time.Abreu was throwing 97-100 with an unhittable slider in the post season racking up 19 K’s in 11.1 IP. https://t.co/cqFOfLLbsRMore than a few fans were raising eyebrows at the pay disparity between Montero, who nearly gave Wednesday's game away, and Abreu who held on against the rising tides and delivered victory. Michael Schwab@michaelschwab13Rafael Montero is the 7th highest paid Astro on the team.He makes $11.5M a season. Bryan Abreu makes $745K...36119Rafael Montero is the 7th highest paid Astro on the team.He makes $11.5M a season. Bryan Abreu makes $745K...Bryan Abreu is no newcomer to the Houston AstrosBryan Abreu #52 of the Houston Astros walks off the fieldDespite still being a few days shy of his 26th birthday, Abreu is no newcomer to the Astros' bullpen. He debuted with the team in 2019 but didn't begin to see regular usage until 2021. In five years with Houston, he is 7-3 with a 2.98 ERA.