Red Sox: Where does the lineup rank among AL playoff teams?

Lastly, we come to the Houston Astros, the most well rounded offensive group in the league. When it comes to the Astros, it’s difficult to find many offensive statistics where they don’t rank in the top 5, or even the top 3. They lead the majors in runs per game, runs scored, doubles, batting average, on-base, slugging, OPS, OPS+, and total bases. They only fell short of leading the league in home runs by three. Oh, and they won 101 games. They’re a force in the truest sense.

Behind the MVP front-runner in Jose Altuve, the Astros bring a bevy of offensive firepower at just about every position. Their weakest everyday hitter is Carlos Beltran. Yeah, just a guy with historic postseason numbers who’ll very likely have his name called in Cooperstown someday. Casual. After that, you’re looking at 9 other regulars with OPS+’s over 100. To put that into perspective, the 2017 Red Sox only have 3 regulars carrying an OPS+ over 100.

The only silver lining the Red Sox can carry with them into Game 1 with them really is the fact that they themselves brought the best offense in baseball with them into October last year and were promptly swept by the Indians. After that, there’s not much else.

Next: Ranking AL playoff team starting rotations

The Astros can beat teams in so many different ways. Whether it’s with the long ball, small ball, station-to-station baserunning, and more, Houston will be willing and able to take advantage of any and all offensive opportunities presented to them. Any team they come across will certainly have their hands full 1-9, and if the Red Sox just so happen to miraculously make their way to the ALCS they’ll have certainly earned it.