ALDS: ASTROS VS. INDIANS
Overview: First postseason meeting between these teams. … Indians faced Astros twice in May, losing two of three games at Minute Maid Park before splitting four-game series with defending World Series champions in Cleveland. Indians were outscored 45-29 in those seven games. … Indians ranked second in MLB with .259 batting average and Astros were seventh at .255. … Astros led majors with 3.11 ERA and Indians were ninth at 3.77.
Astros outlook: AL West champions for second straight year. Houston (103-59) set franchise record for wins and reached postseason for third time in four years under manager AJ Hinch. Astros are in playoffs for 12th time. … Houston went 64-35 in first half but cooled off in second half (39-24). … Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel and Gerrit Cole all finished in top 5 in AL in innings pitched. Astros became sixth team to do that and first since 1970 Orioles, who won World Series. … Team acquired Osuna and Pressly before July 31 trade deadline to bolster bullpen. … 3B Alex Bregman led offense with SS Carlos Correa and 2B Jose Altuve not performing as well as they have in past. The 24-year-old 3B Alex Bregman set career highs for homers, RBIs and doubles.
Indians outlook: Cleveland (91-71) waltzed to third straight AL Central title with sights set on possibly ending World Series championship drought dating to 1948 – longest current streak in majors. … Indians failed to return to Series last year, blowing 2-0 lead in Division Series and losing to Yankees. … Cleveland might be better prepared than ever for postseason with a superb starting rotation anchored by Corey Kluber — Indians are first team in major league history to have four pitchers reach at least 200 strikeouts — and a lineup strengthened by the late-season acquisition of 3B Josh Donaldson, the 2015 AL MVP. … SS Francisco Lindor and 2B Jose Ramirez have been a dynamic duo again this season, combining for 77 homers, 198 RBIs and 59 steals. They’re the first teammates to each get 80 extra-base hits in consecutive seasons since Yankees Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig in 1936-37.