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Astros' Postseason Hopes Dimmed by Recent Sweeps
22 Sep
Summary
- Astros dropped below .500 with a 77-79 record after losing series.
- Postseason race remains tight in the weak AL West division.
- Playoff odds from FanGraphs and Baseball Reference show varied projections.
The Houston Astros are in a precarious position, having dropped below .500 with a 77-79 record after a weekend sweep. This marks their lowest standing since July 27, significantly impacting their standing in the American League West. However, the division's overall weakness has kept the Astros, who hold a head-to-head advantage, within striking distance of the lead.
Currently, the Astros trail the Texas Rangers by just one game. With the division title still within reach, their season hinges on performing well in the final week and the Rangers experiencing some setbacks. Projections from FanGraphs indicate a 45.6% chance for the Astros to make the playoffs and 44.2% to win the division.
Baseball Reference offers a more optimistic outlook, projecting the Astros with a 53% chance of reaching the postseason and a 52% chance of winning the division. This projection suggests a potential 81-81 tie with the Rangers, which would favor Houston due to tiebreakers. Despite a weaker strength of schedule, the Astros' recent head-to-head performance against upcoming opponents like the Mariners and Athletics has been poor.
