There are plenty of reasons the Houston Astros are comfortable favorites to win the World Series. They won 106 games in the regular season while the Phillies won 87. They have hitters like Yordan Alvarez and pitchers like Justin Verlander.
But one big reason there is a sense of destiny about the Astros this season is their impressive sweep of the Yankees in the American League Championship Series. Surely an L.C.S. sweep is a strong indicator of a great World Series performance?
Not so much.
Since the L.C.S. went to a best-of-seven format in 1985, nine teams before the Astros won in four games.