Ben Solomon for The New York Times
The Astros set their franchise record for strikeouts in 2013, which was the worst year they ever had. They lost 111 games, the nadir of a downturn designed to make them a juggernaut. It worked.
The Yankees set their franchise record for strikeouts this season, which was a very good year because they did so many other things well. But they are teetering on elimination in the American League Championship Series, and they are going down swinging — and looking.
Strikeouts are the biggest separator between these teams. The Astros’ pitchers had the most strikeouts in the majors this season, and their hitters had the fewest.