For a couple American League teams in 2022, their season, their expectations, and ultimately their measuring stick for success is no less than a trip to the Fall Classic. Absolutely nothing else matters to the New York Yankees or Houston Astros, and it’d take a one-of-a-kind showing in any series exit before then to not feel an overwhelming sense of disappointment with an elimination in the ALDS or ALCS.
Aside from elusive breakthroughs by the Red Sox and Rays, the Yankees and Astros have ruled over the American League for the past five years, and that’s led to two classic ALCS matchups in 2017 and 2019.