Astros can still win ALCS

ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle uses TruMedia’s research platform and expected wOBA model to see why the Astros could still win the ALCS:

“6. The Astros' hitters are hitting better than the Rays' hitters, and their pitchers are pitching better than the Rays' pitchers.

Yeah, it's a short sample and simple concept, but it's true. For the series, Houston has a .759 OPS against .647 for the Rays. The Astros' wOBA is .325 against an expected wOBA (based on their batted balls) of .395. Tampa Bay has a .279 wOBA and an xwOBA of .289 (per TruMedia). Better process, better results.

It goes on: Houston's hitters have 34 strikeouts and 17 walks. Tampa Bay's have 57 strikeouts and 14 walks. Houston has an 8-7 edge in homers. Both teams have had 31 at-bats with runners in scoring position and produced six hits in those spots for a .194 average. Yet the Rays have outscored the Astros 9-3 on those hits. You wouldn't light out for Vegas to bet on that trend continuing.”

Full article: ESPN