The true underdog component only adds to the beauty of baseball’s postseason. In 2019 that team was the Nationals, who emerged from the National League wild-card round and methodically knocked off the Dodgers, Cardinals and Astros to win the World Series.

This year it’s the Braves — whose 88 victories were the fewest of any club to reach the postseason — proudly wearing the underdog crown, as they prepare to face an Astros team that has reached the World Series for the third time in five seasons, which included a 2017 world championship.

The Post’s Mike Puma breaks down the matchup between the NL East and AL West champions as Tuesday’s Game 1 approaches:

Eddie Rosario was named MVP of the NLCS after tying a MLB postseason series record with 14 hits. The former Indians outfielder joins Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley to give the Braves a formidable top four. For as much power as Freeman possesses, his .393 on-base percentage is also impressive.

Jose Altuve is still a presence atop the lineup for the Astros, who have Michael Brantley and Alex Bregman behind him. Nobody was better at getting on base during the ALCS than Yordan Alvarez, who was named MVP of the series after reaching base at a .535 clip. During the regular season, the Astros led MLB with a .340 on-base percentage.

Edge: Astros

The Braves had four players (Riley, Freeman, Albies and Dansby Swanson who topped 25 homers this season). Riley emerged as an MVP candidate after hitting 33 homers, but the veteran Freeman, who came on strong in the NLCS after a slow start, still has to be considered the most feared hitter in Atlanta’s lineup. Jorge Soler, Joc Pederson and Adam Duvall are power bats the Braves acquired at the trade deadline.

There are plenty of big bats in the Astros’ lineup, starting with Alvarez, who blasted 33 homers during the regular season. Altuve (31 homers) and Kyle Tucker (30) were right behind him. Carlos Correa and Yuli Gurriel have pop and even light-hitting catcher Martin Maldanado hit 12 homers.

Edge: Braves

Albies was 20-for-24 in stolen-base attempts during the regular season, giving the Braves a presence on the bases. He also swiped two bases against the Dodgers in the NLCS. Swanson stole nine bases during the regular season.

Tucker was 14-for-16 in stolen base attempts during the regular season for the Astros.

Edge: Braves

Freeman, Albies and Swanson are all above average defensively, but Riley is shaky at third base, ranking in only the fifth percentile for outs above average among players at the position this season, according to baseball savant.

The Astros have a premier double-play combination in Correa and Altuve. At the corner-infield spots, Bregman and Gurriel bring passable gloves.

Edge: Astros

Duvall is a standout in center field, but Rosario and Pederson on the corners are below average. Guillermo Heredia serves as a strong late-inning defensive replacement for the Braves in the outfield, moving Duvall to right.

Chas McCormick brings an exceptional glove and speed to center field for the Astros. Kyle Tucker is well above average as a right fielder, but Michael Brantley is stationary in left.

Edge: Astros

Soler and Heredia are the two big bench options for the Braves, but one can start in Houston, where the DH will be in use. Johan Camargo and Orlando Arcia are also depth options.

Jason Castro is the Astros’ best option off the bench — he was 2-for-3 with a homer against the Red Sox in the ALCS.

Edge: Braves

Left-hander Max Fried was the Braves ace during the regular season and pitched the best among the team’s starters in the NLCS. The Braves also have Charlie Morton, who won a World Series title with the Astros, and Ian Anderson, who allowed only one run in his start Saturday in the NLCS clincher.

The Astros have a solid group in Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia and Zack Greinke. The best of the group during the regular season was Valdez, who pitched to a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts. Greinke owns World Series experience from 2019.

Edge: Even

Tyler Matzek has pitched to a 2.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 10 ¹/₃ innings this postseason. The left-hander had his best showing in Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, when he struck out the side after entering with two runners on base in a two-run game. A.J. Minter, Jesse Chavez and Chris Martin are among the other important pieces leading into closer Will Smith.

The Astros have big arms in Ryan Pressly (who saved 26 games during the regular season), Cristian Javier, Brooks Raley, Kendall Graveman and Phil Maton, among others.

Edge: Braves

Brian Snitker took the Braves to Game 7 of the NLCS last season and finally broke through this year. He brings an old-school touch, with plenty of analytics behind him.

Dusty Baker had a Hall of Fame résumé even before this postseason, but his legacy has been burnished by the Astros’ success this season. Baker was last seen in the World Series managing the 2002 Giants, who lost to the Angels.

Edge: Astros

The Braves are 5-0 at Truist Park this postseason, playing before a fan base now ecstatic over the franchise’s first World Series appearance since 1999. But are the Braves just happy to be here, after exorcising the demons from last year’s NLCS collapse?

The nucleus of the Astros’ tainted 2017 World Series championship team remains intact, with players such as Altuve, Correa and Bregman still on board. Does this crew have something to prove, mainly that it can win (presumably) without cheating?

Edge: Astros