10 reasons the Astros will beat the Red Sox

The Astros rarely have entered a post-season where they were favored in any series. But they sure should be favored to win this time against the Red Sox. You doubt that? Here are ten reasons they will emerge victorious in this series.

  1. JV. No not the Junior Varsity like ISIS. Justin Verlander has been an excellent pitcher for over a decade, but the last month since joining the Astros he has lifted his performance and theirs to another level. He has been a perfect 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA since joining the Astros in the days right after Hurricane Harvey.
  2. Just win baby. The Astros have won 101 games this season, while the Sox have won 93. Well, that would be more.
  3. Road Warriors. The Astros are tied for the best road record in the majors with the Indians at 53-28. The Sox were a good, but not good enough 45-36.
  4. They’re so offensive. The Astros were first in the MAJORS in runs scored (896), doubles (346), BA (.282), OBP (.346), OPS (.823) and 2nd in HRs (238). The Sox – .258 BA (12th), .329 OBP (11th), .736 OPS (22nd), 785 runs (10th), 302 doubles (7th), and 168 HRs (27th) were not in the same zip code.
  5. They are so deep. The Astros have six players in the top 24 in batting average in the AL, from Jose Altuve‘s .346 down through Josh Reddick, Marwin Gonzalez, Yuli Gurriel and Alex Bregman to George Springer‘s .283. They also have five players in the top 25 in OPS from Altuve’s .957 down to Bregman’s .827. If Carlos Correa had 21 more ABs his .315 BA and .941 OPS would be up there too.
  6. Resiliency. They played big chunks of the season with the following guys on the DL at one time or another and many times together, Collin McHugh, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers Jr., Charlie Morton, Will Harris, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Brian McCann, Evan Gattis and Jake Marisnick. And they still came within an eyelash of the best record in the majors.
  7. Health. Despite that laundry list of injuries, the only concerns right now are Reddick’s back which is expected to be healed by tomorrow’s game and Marisnick’s fractured thumb which will not allow him to play in this series.
  8. Putting it in Play. The Astros struck out the least in the majors this season with 1087 Ks. That is 67 less than the next best team and 137 better than the Sox.
  9. The Beard. When your second best starting pitcher is Dallas Keuchel, who won the Cy Young two years ago and pitched that well for most of 2017 and who was nails in the playoffs in 2015 (in games he started…) then you have two aces.
  10. The Grey hairs in the other beards. In 2015, the Astros were good but very young and green. This time around their own base is experienced (Altuve, Correa, Springer, Gattis) and they have added experience with McCann, Reddick, Verlander, Francisco Liriano, Carlos Beltran and experienced “rookie” Gurriel.

It’s your turn. Why do you think the Astros will take this series?

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141 responses to “10 reasons the Astros will beat the Red Sox”

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  3. I’m wearing my polo navy blue Astros shirt today. On the bus this morning and at work there are a number of bright Orange ‘Stros shirts.
    I wish this team did not always get the matinee time slot in the playoffs. Sometimes back when they played the Padres or Braves the series would be over before I saw any of the games. Why can’t they have more than one weeknight game?

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  4. A wild card game with 19 runs scored? The other with 12? Hard to take either team all too seriously. At the end of the day, the last team standing will show some ability to get guys out. I like our chances.

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    • Yes – my very small quibble is Centeno over Stassi as 3rd catcher – should not matter much I hope.
      Remember this is a home game, not a road game – starting at 3:08!! Can’t wait.

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      • McTaggert’s article the other day cited Centeno throwing out Brock Holt on a pitch in the dirt last week as a reason for his selection. I don’t want to put him in Hank Congar territory, but that gave him a 1-12 record against base stealers this year.

        If Hinch didn’t spend 90% of his time with the team the last couple days harping on the importance of defense, preventing the extra base, pitcher’s fielding their position, and pitchers holding runners I’d be surprised.

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    • I had Stassi instead of Centeno and McHugh over LMJ. Otherwise the same. And in reference to Boston being better. On paper, not even close but we know that there’s always the unknown. Yet here in NC that’s all we ever get on the tube, NY, Boston, or Atlanta). You’d think that there are no other teams in the league. However, I’m going to be glued to my computer or at the local sports bar to watch my (OUR) Astros win.

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  12. So, I have read numerous player to player comparisons of Boston vs Houston players from Boston’s perspective.
    These guys favor Benintendi over Marwin, Bradley over Springer, Betts over Reddick and Moreland over Gurriel.
    And yet you look at each player’s stats and all four of the Astros have better stats and it’s not even close in most cases. Each one of those four Astros have batting averages 30 to fifty points higher than their counterparts and all of them have higher OBP, SLG and OPS.
    It seems that even though each Astros player has hit better this season, the big thing going for Boston’s players is that they are Boston’s players and that makes them a little better.

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    • Stop. Just Stop. Don’t read anything by a Boston sportswriter. Stay off their fan forums. There is no redeeming value to anything sports related coming out of Boston. There is no good that can come from reading about their teams and players. If you thought the Chronicle did puff pieces on the Texans players that have no chance of making the team during training camp, well, consider Boston sports fans are so delusional they would propose to you the first guy from their defensive line cut from camp would be a fair offer, straight up, for JJ Watt. And Rick Porcello totally deserved the 2016 Cy Young.

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      • It looks like we’re saying the same thing. I’m just using stats and you are using your heart. Both good uses.

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    • George Springer finally becomes a household name. People all over the US will be wondering where this center fielder came from.

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    • Actually, I’m like this every time they played this year.
      I know we promised someone we would try to keep informing our fellow bloggers wth a running account of the important happenings, because they are at work and can’t tune in. I will record the first hour or so of the game before I can watch because I am the designated school picker-upper for the grandkids. So, for the first hour, I won’t have access either.
      I’m actually not as nervous as I thought I would be because this team we love “is pretty good”.

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  17. Nunez collapses, as his knee gives out running a grounder out in the first inning. This is the third time he has injured it. They carried him off and he is probably out of the series.

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  21. For those looking for an update – JV’s 1-2-3 included two quick outs and a 11 pitch battle with Benintendi that ended in a K.
    Then….. Bregman and Altuve go back to back. WOOHOOO 2-0

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  22. Then JV walks two and with two outs gives up a single, runner from 2nd scores, but Reddick guns down runner going to third

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  25. Tuve hits into the double play to end the 3rd after Bregman’s second hit – an infield single. Through three – 2-1 Astros – Sale at 55 pitches after a quick inning and Verlander at 52 pitches.

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  26. Red Sox tie it in the top of the 4th 2-1 on a double, single and a sac fly. JV has thrown 79 pitches – wonder how far he can squeeze this. Red Sox taking a lot of pitches and spoiling a lot of pitches.

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    • There have been two plays challenged in this game and both ended up producing runs. The Red Sox challenged when Reddick threw the guy out at third and they said the lead runner did not score. That was reversed and the Sox got a run. Then Reddick was called out on a catch by an OF with Gattis on 2nd. Call was reversed and Marwin knocked both with 2 outs.

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  31. So our pen has a 5 run cushion and needs nine outs. If we’re going to own October, they’ve got to be dominant now.

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  33. Astros loaded it with no outs in the 6th – Marwin struck out in 10 pitch AB but McCann picked him up with 2 run single. Devo gets them out in the 7th and Altuve hits his THIRD HR!!! 8-2 and still batting in 7th.

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  36. In the 8th – Will Harris gets two outs then gives up 2 singles. Then our brand new LOOGY Liriano comes in to get his lefty hitter out. Still 8-2 headed to the bottom of the 8th.

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  40. It was more than just a win. Liriano, Devenski and Musgrove are able to come in and pitch in a playoff game and get the job done. First time jitters as a reliever in the playoffs are out of the way.
    Verlander struggled with his command but pitched out of jams and his first appearance as an Astros pitcher in the playoffs is done. He is able to look at this win and see how he can improve. I thought Nunez’s injury shook JV up, as did the strike three pitch that he didn’t get the call on and ended in a BB.
    Astros beat one of the best lefty starters in baseball.
    Yes, Altuve hit three homers, but three other guys had RBIs and, with Correa and Springer going 0 for 8, the Astros get 8 runs on 12 hits and showed the world some real good defense.

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  41. Harold Reynolds said the instant replay of Bradley’s non-catch was the play that changed the game. Thought that Sale would have gotten out of that inning and the results could have been different.

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  42. I don’t want to sound arrogant of behalf of our club, but Boston simply does not match up with the Astros. Their Cy Young candidate got roughed up today. If Keuchel pitches the kind of game we expect from him tomorrow, we end up with Fister in game three. Doug Fister.

    Our guys looked 100% poised today. They are ready to play.

    And something tells me the offense will fully assert itself tomorrow, even if we do not get a sterling performance from our starter.

    Not sure how todays outcome could have been much better.

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  43. OH. MY. GOODNESS. !!!! What a game! We went to Brewinsz, had some wings and watched an *AWESOME* display of Astros doing what they do best! Winning that first game is sooo important, now we have the edge. Nothing I can add to Altuve’s, performance! Everyone did something to get this win!! Let’s hope the boys still have some hits in those bats for Keuchel tomorrow!! How’S that trade for Verlander look now?!!! Becky⚾

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    • Statistically, they might due to Correa’s dl stint and our propensity to stick Springer in RF. But give me a choice and I take all our guys over theirs.

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  47. We need a Go Astros Go type song (know that’s chicagoish but that’s my home town), sorry, not the one to make one up, lol. Great win today and I’m tickled orange/blue. I was nervous until the bats broke loose. Noticed Springer & CC a little tight, wait until they loosen up tomorrow. When those two join in the fray look out. The pitching will get even better with the offense on point. My dream WS will be to see the Astros/Cubs. Cubs got their ring so and I’m not greedy, time for the Stros first. The bp youngsters got their feet wet today as OP stated, which bodes well for our pitching. McCullers the wild card I think, would love to see him light it up. I’m not trying to be cocky but I like the Astros chances of making the WS. Will be right there with yawl for Game 2 tomorrow, can’t wait.

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  48. Oh my – turning in from my temporary dwelling in South Africa. Looks like Jose Altuve [Little Big Man] wants to make a statement. And looks like these Astros want to win a Pennant.

    One game down.

    Now, stay focused, Dallas Keuchel – and come on and join in on Jose’s party, George Springer and Carlos Correa!

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  49. The Red Sox will be tired of hearing about Altuve. The guy hitting behind Altuve in the lineup will need to have a good game.
    Dallas Keuchel will be the key today.
    Will Gattis DH again? He was a pest for Boston yesterday.
    Pomeranz shut down the Astros six days ago. Game on!
    I like George Springer in CF. Leave him alone.
    Our infield defense will need to be superior today, especially if that sinker is working.
    The playoff games are easily averaging four hours. Sponsors must love this.

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  50. I told my wife that our lineup was the A team yesterday and they’re set up exactly the same today. Pretty nice getting the three homers from Jose but also really nice getting four RBI from our eight and nine hitters. I think we’re due to rough up Pomeranz.

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