It’s World Series or bust for the Houston Astros, but they’ll have to get past the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS first.
The Houston Astros have not been past the ALDS since losing the World Series all the way back in 2005. It was a long, difficult journey back to the top, with the front office deciding to tear the roster all the way down to the bare bones. The analytical process that followed helped create one of the deepest farm systems ever seen in Major League Baseball and a lineup that grinds its opponents up and spits them out.
The Astros won over 100 games this year for the first time since 1998 and led the league in every important offensive category while rarely striking out. They were never challenged in the AL West and played the second half of the year on auto pilot.
Houston may have actually drawn the better matchup in the divisional round by not finishing the year with the league’s best record. They avoid the red-hot New York Yankees and draw the Boston Red Sox who they outscored 35-22 this year. The Astros put themselves over the top by acquiring Justin Verlander at the end of August to fix the only glaring weakness on their roster. They now have their ace, a powerful lineup and a savvy manager. This could be a World Series team, but they’ll have to take out the Red Sox first. Here’s why the Astros will take care of business and head to the ALCS with a head of steam.
5. Can’t phase Altuve
There may not be a more unlikely superstar in MLB history than 5-foot-6 Jose Altuve who has led the league in hits four years in a row with three batting titles. The Houston second baseman led the Major League with a .346 batting average this year and batted above .300 every month of the year except September. Altuve hit .344 against righties and .353 against lefties.
Altuve had a rough go of it in the 2015 ALDS, but look for him to have a big series here against the Red Sox. His game has gone to an even higher level over the past two years, and he is the heart and soul of the Astros. They have surrounded him with the best lineup in the game, but Altuve is the ringleader and the best player in this series.