Unlike the NLCS matchup, the American League Championship Series is exactly what most expected. Two of the 3 teams with the best records in baseball will go head to head for the chance at a World Series crown. It’s been widely believed that whoever wins this series, either the New York Yankees or the Houston Astros, will go on to win the WS. The Stros hold the best record in baseball so they have home-field advantage in this best of 7.
The Yankees come into the series tearing through the Twins (one of 4 100+ win teams this season) with a 3 game sweep. The Yanks put up 22 runs while allowing only 7. Their 2.33 team ERA is the lowest of any team this postseason. The offense finished the division series with a .929 OPS against one of the elite pitching staffs in baseball which is the 6th highest in ALDS history. The pitching staff held the opponent to a .396 slugging percentage and allowed only 7 total runs against a team that finished the season ranked 2nd in baseball in SLG% and runs scored.
The Astros won 107 games, the most in franchise history and led the league in run differential. So, it was no surprise they were able to get by the Rays. It took the Stros 5 games and ended with only a +1 run differential but the Rays were only 4 games short of 100 wins this season, so they were no slouch even though they were a wild card team. Houston got 3 great performances from Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole which all led to wins. The offense showed only glimpses of the explosiveness they did this season but the Rays had arguably the best pitching staff in baseball and held the Stros to 3.8 runs per game in the series.
Now here are the DLD staff predictions.
Astros in 6 games
Astros in 5 games
Astros in 6 games
Astros in 7 games
Yankees in 7 games
Astros in 7 games
Yankees in 7 games
Astros in 5 games
Astros in 7 games
These 2 teams met in the ALCS in 2017 and went 7 games. It was one of the most exciting league championships I’ve ever witnessed. I don’t see why it won’t be again.
Oskar is a contributor to Dodgers-Lowdown. Follow him on Twitter @2rawsko94. You can follow the rest of the team that have Twitter accounts by clicking on their name.