As the Boston Red Sox sit tied with the Houston Astros — a team that won three more games and had a run differential 125 runs better than them during the regular season — in the ALCS, after upsetting the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, the secret to their success is no secret. This team is hitting the snot out of the baseball. Even after Tuesday’s 9-2 loss the Red Sox are hitting .300/.366/.544 this post-season with almost as many home runs (21) as the rest of teams alive in the playoffs combined (26). Even over a nine-game span a whole team turning into Aaron Judge is remarkable. In a post-season context, it’s nothing short of absurd. Everything about the way the playoffs are structured should depress offensive performance. There are no fifth starters and Quad-A pitchers to feast on, starters who struggle are almost always given a quick hook instead of left in to eat innings, and the more frequent days off allow managers to lean on their best relievers, who are consistently well-re...