THE MATCHUPS
The true underdog component only adds to the beauty of baseball’s postseason. In 2019 that team was the Nationals, who emerged from the National League wild-card round and methodically knocked off the Dodgers, Cardinals and Astros to win the World Series. This year it’s the Braves — whose 88 victories were the fewest of any club to reach the postseason — proudly wearing the underdog crown, as they prepare to face an Astros team that has reached the World Series for the third time in five seasons, which included a 2017 world championship.
The Post’s Mike Puma breaks down the matchup between the NL East and AL West champions as Tuesday’s Game 1 approaches:
AT THE PLATE
GETTING ON BASE: Eddie Rosario was named MVP of the NLCS after tying a MLB postseason series record with 14 hits. The former Twins and Indians outfielder joins Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley to give the Braves a formidable top four. For as much power as Freeman possesses, his .393 on-base percentage is also impressive.
Jose Altuve is still a presence atop the lineup for the Astros, who have Michael Brantley and Alex Bregman behind him. Nobody was better at getting on base during the ALCS than Yordan Alvarez, who was named MVP of the series after reached base at a .535 clip. During the regular season, the Astros led MLB with a .340 on-base percentage. Edge: Astros
POWER: The Braves had four players (Riley, Freeman, Albies and Dansby Swanson who topped 25 homers this season). Riley emerged as an MVP candidate after hitting 33 homers, but the veteran Freeman, who came on strong in the NLCS after a slow start, still has to be considered the most feared hitter in Atlanta’s lineup. Jorge Soler, Joc Pederson and Adam Duvall are power bats the Braves acquired at the trade deadline.
There are plenty of big bats in the Astros’ lineup, starting with
Alvarez, who blasted 33 homers during the regular season. Altuve (31 homers) and Kyle Tucker (30) were right behind him. Carlos Correa and Yuli Gurriel have pop and even light-hitting catcher Martin Maldonado hit 12 homers.
Edge: Braves
ON THE BASEPATHS: Albies was 20-for-24 in stolen-base attempts during the regular season, giving the Braves a presence on the bases. He also swiped two bases against the Dodgers in the NLCS. Swanson stole nine bases during the regular season.
Tucker was 14-for-16 in stolen-base attempts during the regular season for the Astros.
Edge: Braves
IN THE FIELD
INFIELD: Freeman, Albies and Swanson are all above average defensively, but Riley is shaky at third base, ranking in only the fifth percentile for outs above average among players at the position this season, according to Baseball Savant.
The Astros have a premier double-play combination in Correa and Altuve. At the corner-infield spots, Bregman and Gurriel bring passable gloves.
Edge: Astros OUTFIELD: Duvall is a standout in center field, but Rosario and Pederson on the corners are below average.
Guillermo Heredia serves as a strong late-inning defensive replacement for the Braves in the outfield, moving Duvall to right.
Chas McCormick brings an exceptional glove and speed to center field for the Astros. Tucker is well above average as a right fielder, but Brantley is stationary in left.
Edge: Astros
BENCH
Soler and Heredia are the two big bench options for the Braves, but one can start in Houston, where the DH will be in use. Johan Camargo and Orlando Arcia are also depth options.
Jason Castro is the Astros’ best option off the bench — he was 2-for-3 with a homer against the Red Sox in the ALCS.
Edge: Braves
ON THE MOUND
IN THE ROTATION: Lefthander Max Fried was the Braves ace during the regular season and pitched the best among the team’s starters in the NLCS. The Braves also have Charlie Morton, who won a World Series title with the Astros, and Ian Anderson, who allowed only one run in his start Saturday in the NLCS clincher.
The Astros have a solid group in Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia and Zack Greinke. The best of the group during the regular season was Valdez, who pitched to a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts. Greinke owns World Series experience from 2019. Edge: Even
IN THE BULLPEN: Tyler Matzek has pitched to a 2.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 10 ¹/3 innings this postseason. The left-hander had his best showing in Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, when he struck out the side after entering with two runners on base in a two-run game. A.J. Minter, Jesse Chavez and Chris
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MANAGER
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INTANGIBLES
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mpuma@nypost.com