Astros Take Out the Laundry to Advance to the World Series

Throughout the playoffs, the Houston Astros have consistently produced a high amount of runs against both kinds of Sox averaging 6.7 runs-a-game and have scored nine or more runs four times.

So far this postseason, the Astros’ games have been filled with plenty of firepower from the offense.

Looking more specifically into the American League pennant race, the Astros had either taken the lead or expanded it in the late innings of several games. One thing is for certain, if the Astros are in the game come the seventh inning they will come out on top.

In innings 7-9 this postseason, the Astros are hitting .320 with seven home runs, while scoring 27 runs total. Home run heroics have come from half of the lineup as Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Kyle Tucker and more have taken opposing pitchers deep.

The lineup still comes with only two question marks: the eight hole and nine hole. If Martin Maldonado gets a hit here or there, it just adds to the fuel, as Chas McCormick has been up and down as well.

If either of those guys get a hit, the Atlanta Braves‘ pitchers will labor against the top to bottom against a solid seven. Case in point, if the guy leading the league in batting average (.319) is hitting seventh, you’re doing something right.

Combining the power and average has been a mainstay for the playoffs with a high number of home runs hit and hitting for a solid average, especially in the last innings.

The Boston Red Sox bullpen couldn’t withstand the Astros stacked lineup and routinely gave up big innings. The most notable big inning they gave up came in the ninth of Game 4 where the Astros scored seven runs, putting the game out of reach.

No matter the color of the Sox, the Astros took them to the cleaners, especially late. Fair warning to the Braves in the World Series, your bullpen is put on notice.