8. George Springer, 1.070, 2017 World Series
Springer’s destruction of the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers in that 2017 World Series may be tainted by the sign-stealing scandal. But based solely on the record, it was one of the most comprehensive one-man beat-downs ever administered.
Springer rang up 11 hits in 29 official at bats against the Dodgers, eight for extra bases, and five of them leaving the yard. He scored eight runs in that seven-game series.
His slugging average for the series was an even 1.000.
His performance began in Game 2, an 11-inning Astros win that evened the series at a game apiece. The biggest hit, with Cameron Maybin on base in the top of the 11th, flew over the right-center field wall for a home run. It produced a 7-6 Houston victory.
With the series deadlocked at two games each, Springer’s game-tying seventh inning home run put Houston on course for a 13-12 victory in 10 innings. Springer’s base on balls set the stage for Alex Bregman’s game-winning home run.
Facing Yu Darvish in the finale, Springer was a pivotal figure. He doubled to launch a two-run top of the first inning. In the second, Springer’s two-run home run boosted Houston’s lead to 5-0. The Astros wouldn’t score again, but they wouldn’t need to. Lance McCullers and a series of bullpen arms limited the Dodgers to one run.