Three reasons why Astros and Red Sox will win in ALDS



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The series of the American League Division pits the Houston Astros against the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees. Here is Tim Kurkjian's choice for each series, with three reasons this team will win – and another not to do it.

Three reasons why the Astros will beat the Indians

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This series is so good, so competitive, that it deserves to be a series of seven games. But it will be even better as a five-game series, as it will add even more pressure to all throws. And there is so much to do here: the Indians have not won the World Series for 70 years and the Astros are trying to become the first team to win the World Series title since the 1999-2000 Yankees.

1. The pitch of the Astros is spectacular. The Astros led the league in ERA by more than half a match per game. They have recorded more strikeouts this season than any other team in the history of the major leagues. Their starting pitcher, who was historically good the first few months of the season, remains the best of the game. Justin Verlander, a competitor of Cy Young, was brilliant in the playoffs last season, but he had difficulties in his career against the Indians: he has not played against them this year, but in the last four seasons he has collected 6.07 109 hits allowed in 90⅔ innings. Gerrit Cole and Verlander joined Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling (2001-2002), the only teammates in history to finish the season with 275 strikeouts. If the burning shoulder of Charlie Morton is really OK, there are three potential locked right-handed ones. If Morton is wrong, Lance McCullers or Dallas Keuchel could start. Earl Weaver called "deep depth" five good entries.

2. Houston has won a club record 103 games this season. They were 21-6 in September, the best record of the match. They are healthier, although Carlos Correa's back problems are real and prevent him from becoming the great player he is. Third baseman Alex Bregman has become a star, a candidate for the MVP who seems to be his best in the big time. This Houston offensive, which was devastating last year, was not the same this year, but now that it is a little healthier, it is possible that the group is recovering.

3. The revelation of the Astros was a disaster in the World Series last year with Ken Giles' irregular work, then closer, but they defeated in seven games against the Dodgers. They won, in part, because McCullers and Morton were brilliant in relief, and now, the Astros will likely have McCullers and Keuchel available for relief in this series. Roberto Osuna has been great since his acquisition by the Astros in July. With all the talk, everything was justified, on the backs of the Yankees and A, the Astros led the AL into the ALE area.

One reason I'm completely wrong

Indians can also throw. They are the only team in league history to have four pitchers with 200 strikeouts. They have five pitchers with a set of 10 strikeouts. They have 30 individual games with 10 strikeouts (just like the Astros); only the 1973 Angels and the 2001 Diamondbacks had more points in the league history. Corey Kluber, a Cy Young candidate, can compete with any launcher of the game, especially Verlander, who has once again worked against the Indians in recent years. Carlos Carrasco has played two games with 14 strikeouts this year. his business is as good as that of almost everyone. Mike Clevinger emerged as a high-flying starter. And Trevor Bauer, who was a serious contender for Cy Young until he injured his shin in August, will likely be used at home in this series. In addition, the Indian Paddock, with Andrew Miller in good health, is great. Three left-handers are with Miller, Oliver Perez and the close Brad Hand. This pitching staff does not have to be perfect because the composition of the Indians is dangerous. And this pitching staff will be strengthened by an improved defense with Jose Ramirez at second base and new third baseman Josh Donaldson, whose injured calf has clearly healed.

Three reasons why the Red Sox will beat the Yankees

In the glorious history of rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox, it's the first season of each of these teams that has won 100 games. Their season series was tight (10-9 in Boston) and they are now meeting in the division series for the first time, and in the playoffs for the first time since 2004, when the Red Sox had gone from 3 to 0 to win the ALCS, then won his first world series since 1918. Two teams, each good enough to win the world series, but one of them comes home with three other defeats. This pressure, combined with the remarkable star power of both teams, makes it an excellent series, perhaps for the ages.

1. Their alignment is ridiculous. The Red Sox have led the major leagues in races, OPS, slugging, percentage based and many other categories. "You can present Yankees training, you can choose the position of (Giancarlo) Stanton, but you can not present the composition of the Red Sox," said a coach of the American League. Kevin Cash, Rays' manager, said, "Boston's composition is just relentless, it keeps coming to you." Mookie Betts will win the MVP AL and J.D. Martinez is a knock machine. "Every day, J.D. comes into the clubhouse, he explains his punch plan for that night," said Betts. "I have never seen anything like it." But the Yankees feel they have at least one answer in J.A. Happ, who has been really good against Boston. Overall, the Yankees did not have many answers to Fenway this year – 3-7 record, 6.80 ERA.

2. Chris Sale. It is feared that Sale has not started regularly for more than two months due to inflammation of the shoulder. There is a concern, rightly so, about his speed. But there is another way to look at this. Dirty should be more rested and stronger than he was at the same time last year when he had pitched 9 and a half innings against the Astros in sets, allotted 13 hits and four circuits at home. The Red Sox showed patience in bringing it back – everything was calculated to be at its best. This guy is different – he does not care about winning the Cy Young, he only cares about winning. Despite plenty of evidence, it will be great in October. He will have to do it if the Red Sox want to win this series. David Price and Rick Porcello must also be good. Together, these three are 0-11 with an ERA 6,18 in 14 postseason starts.

3. Bullpen and bench. Former manager Davey Johnson said that's how the teams win in the playoffs. The bench of the Red Sox is loaded. Steve Pearce, who will play against lefties, is invited to participate. Mitch Moreland then ensures production on the bench. They have very versatile types such as Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez, who can play multiple positions. While their enclosure is fragile in the middle of the heats, but starter Nathan Eovaldi, acquired at the trade deadline, can perform some tasks to bring the game closer to Craig Kimbrel. "(Eovaldi) can launch 97 MPH anywhere and whenever you need it," said Cora.

One reason I'm completely wrong

The Yankees are loaded. This is perhaps the best they have played since their start to the hottest season. Their ceiling is as high as that of any team in the game, especially when they are swaying well. The Yankees have scored more circuits than any team in history, they are the only team to have 20 circuits out of the nine spots in the order and the only team to have ever had 12 guys with at least 10 circuits. Their pen is as dominant as any baseball player now that Aroldis Chapman is back from a knee injury. If the Yankees had to play a game at Fenway Park, then go home, it could change the look of this series. A Yankees player said at the end of the season, "If we pass the A, we will beat the Red Sox."

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