It feels foolish to pick against the MLB team with the best regular-season record and three dominant starting pitchers.
Houston appears to have the perfect mix of experience throughout the lineup and control on the mound to move on to its second World Series in three seasons.
The Astros are one of five teams in the last decade to advance to back-to-back ALCS, but only the 2011-13 Detroit Tigers extended their streak to three.
A.J. Hinch's team has an opportunity to earn that achievement, but it could face a fight from either the New York Yankees or Minnesota Twins in the league title round.