Astros Enter ALCS as Overwhelming Favorites

Subtle Struggles Lurk for Houston

The Houston Astros enter the American League Championship Series (ALCS) as heavy favorites to win the pennant and advance to the World Series. However, lingering concerns about the performance of second baseman Jose Altuve could foreshadow challenges for the team.

Yankees Seek Redemption

The Astros will face the New York Yankees in the best-of-seven series, which begins Wednesday. The Yankees are eager to avenge their loss to the Astros in the ALCS last year and will be buoyed by the return of ace pitcher Gerrit Cole, who was a member of the Astros' World Series-winning team in 2017.

Expert Predictions

Baseball experts have largely predicted an Astros victory in the ALCS. The Athletic's MLB experts gave Houston a 62.5% chance of advancing to the World Series, while ESPN's Buster Olney and Jeff Passan both picked the Astros as the ALCS winners.

MVP Contenders

Both teams have potential Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidates. Astros third baseman Alex Bregman has been impressive this postseason, while Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is looking to make a statement after a disappointing regular season.