To be sure, the ALCS was a very close and highly competitive series between two MLB juggernauts (Yankees and Astros). The cliché, “it could have gone either way,” definitely applies here.
Analysts have provided varying explanations as to why the Astros won the series, and the Yanks did not. There seems to be some consensus that the ‘Stros were simply able to do the little things better and at the right time. This is generally correct from what I witnessed.
Also, as we all anticipated, Houston had superior starting pitching. Their starters were able to get into the late innings successfully, thereby putting less pressure on their bullpen, which was supposed to be inferior to the Yankees ‘pen.