Houston Astros: The ideal playoff scenario to repeat as World Champions
By T.A. Mock
The ALCS Matchup
The Yankees and Red Sox series in the ALDS is going to be an exciting one, as it always is when these two historic franchises face off against one another. So far this season, the Red Sox have the season series lead at 8-5. However, this series majorly favors the home team with the Red Sox going 6-1 at home and 2-4 in Yankee Stadium.
Regardless, it would be better for the Astros to face off against the Red Sox in an ALCS series for a few reasons. Honestly, I believe the Yankees to, overall, have a better baseball team than the Red Sox but, the Red Sox have just been luckier.
The Red Sox have a better rotation by a decent margin but, that’s about it. Right now, the top of the Red Sox line up is better than the Yankees but top to bottom, the Yankees have a better, more dangerous lineup. The Yankees also have an infinitely better bullpen than the Red Sox, which may be more important than a potent starting line up in the playoffs.
That being said, having the best record in baseball and a better record than the team your facing doesn’t make the Red Sox a slouch by any means. They’re still a very good baseball team that will put up a heck of a fight in a seven-game series.
Hot. Three players who need extra playing time down the stretch. light
I’d rather the Houston Astros face off against the Red Sox than Yankees for the reasons above and because of our last series against the Red Sox. Earlier this week, the Astros took two of three in Boston with the lone loss coming with major controversy.
This Astros team should be able to handily beat this Red Sox team. The Red Sox first 4-5 hitters are intimidating but the bottom of the line up is not. Chris Sale, David Price, and maybe Eduardo Rodriguez would be challenging but once the Astros reach the bullpen the only arm that is scary is Craig Kimbrel and he can’t pitch more than one inning.
So, with the Astros facing off against the Red Sox in this ideal playoff scenario, we’ll go ahead and assume they win to take a look at who the ideal National League team is for the Astros to play in the World Series.