Astros Stumble Against Rangers as AL West Race Tightens
The Houston Astros are left to ponder their recent struggles as they take a day off following a disappointing series against the Texas Rangers. The Astros fell in the final game of the three-game set, losing 4-2 and seeing their lead in the American League West dwindle once again.
Game Recap
In Sunday’s matchup, the Astros (78-66) found themselves trailing after the second inning. Although they managed to tie the game in the sixth with an RBI single from Jeremy Peña, their hopes were dashed shortly thereafter. The Rangers responded with a decisive three-run inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Jake Burger, which brought Josh Jung home. Burger later contributed to the scoring with an RBI double that allowed Cody Freeman to cross the plate.
The Astros struggled at the plate, recording only five hits throughout the game. Rangers’ left-hander Patrick Corbin stymied their offense, holding Houston hitless until the fifth inning. On the mound for the Astros, Framber Valdez pitched a solid seven innings, allowing five hits and four earned runs while striking out five batters and walking one. Notably, Valdez did not experience any “cross-up” incidents with his catcher, a small silver lining in an otherwise tough outing.
AL West Standings and Magic Number Update
As of Sunday, the Astros’ magic number to clinch the AL West title stands at 17. This number reflects the combination of Astros wins and Seattle Mariners losses. Unfortunately for Houston, the Mariners had a field day, demolishing the Atlanta Braves 18-2, which allowed them to cut the Astros’ lead to just 2.5 games. The Rangers now trail by four games, creating a tight race at the top of the division.
The Astros are aiming for their eighth AL West crown in nine seasons, with their only miss occurring in 2020. Since 2017, Houston has been a playoff fixture, making four World Series appearances and securing two championships. As the season winds down, the Mariners and Rangers both have crucial head-to-head matchups against the Astros. Seattle will face Houston three times in September, while Texas will meet the Astros six times starting Friday.
Remaining Schedules and Standings Overview
As the division race heads into its final stretch, here’s a look at the upcoming schedules for the Astros, Mariners, and Rangers:
Houston Astros Remaining Schedule:
Sept. 9-11: at Toronto
Sept. 12-14: at Atlanta
Sept. 15-17: vs. Texas
Sept. 19-21: vs. Seattle
Sept. 23-25: at Athletics
Sept. 26-28: at Los Angeles Angels
Current AL West Standings (as of Sept. 7):
Houston Astros: 78-66 (1st in division)
Seattle Mariners: 75-68 (2.5 games behind)
Texas Rangers: 74-70 (4.0 games behind)
Seattle Mariners Remaining Schedule (19 games):
Sept. 8-10: vs. St. Louis
Sept. 11-14: vs. Los Angeles Angels
Sept. 16-18: at Kansas City
Sept. 19-21: at Houston
Sept. 23-25: vs. Colorado
Sept. 26-28: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Texas Rangers Remaining Schedule (18 games):
Sept. 8-10: vs. Milwaukee
Sept. 12-14: at New York Mets
Sept. 15-17: at Houston
Sept. 19-21: vs. Miami
Sept. 23-25: vs. Minnesota
Sept. 26-28: at Cleveland
With a crucial three-game series in Toronto on the horizon, the Astros will have to regroup quickly if they hope to maintain their lead as the competition heats up in the AL West.
