Sep 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) is hit by a pitch in opposition to the Seattle Mariners within the fifth inning at Daikin Park. Obligatory Credit score: Thomas Shea-Imagn Photos The Houston Astros had been 20 video games above .500 on July 6 and seemingly able to skate to their ninth straight playoff spot.
But with six video games remaining within the common season, the Astros are in an enormous battle to maintain their postseason streak alive.
Houston (84-72) must rack up victories within the closing week of the season and it opens a six-game street journey on Tuesday evening when it faces the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.
The Astros play three video games in opposition to the A’s earlier than shifting down the West Coast for 3 video games in opposition to the Los Angeles Angels. Each groups have been eradicated from the American League playoff chase.
Houston simply bought swept in a three-game residence set by the Seattle Mariners, who personal a three-game lead over the Astros within the AL West. The Astros are additionally within the combine for the ultimate two spots within the wild-card race.
Houston supervisor Joe Espada vows that his group will step up this week.
“It is one recreation at a time,” Espada instructed reporters after Sunday’s 7-3 loss to Seattle. “We have got six to go, six huge ones. We performed rather well on the West Coast. We have to deliver it, man. That is crunch time. That is while you play your greatest. I am going to take this group in opposition to another group when our backs are in opposition to the nook.”
Houston was outscored 17-7 within the essential collection with Seattle. Making issues worse for the Astros is that the Mariners additionally maintain the tiebreaker edge.
The extra possible path to the postseason is the wild-card race the place the Boston Purple Sox, Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers are additionally concerned. Both Detroit or Cleveland will win the AL Central and people squads start a three-game collection Tuesday.
Infielder Carlos Correa feels all the things revolves round what the Astros do.
“Now we have to go on the market and work out a approach to win, regardless of if it is fairly or ugly,” Correa stated. “On the finish of the day, it is concerning the ‘W’ on the finish.”
Houston hopes to have All-Star shortstop Jeremy Pena again within the lineup. He sat out Sunday attributable to left indirect soreness.
The Athletics (73-83) misplaced by way of shutout to the Pittsburgh Pirates of their final two video games after profitable seven of their earlier eight.
The A’s boast three 30-homer gamers with star rookie Nick Kurtz belting 33 and Shea Langeliers and All-Star Brent Rooker every hitting 30.
Rooker additionally has 40 doubles and 87 RBIs however the quantity on his thoughts is 162. He is in place to hitch Miguel Tejada (thrice), Terrence Lengthy (twice), Matt Olson and Marcus Semien as Athletics for the reason that flip of the century who performed in each recreation.
“It wasn’t a purpose of mine to start out the 12 months,” Rooker stated. “However the additional I’ve sort of gotten into it, I’ve performed all of them at this level, so I would as properly. Hopefully, I will be in there for each one in all them the remainder of the best way.”
Rooker, 30, is 0-for-6 with three strikeouts in opposition to right-hander Cristian Javier (2-3, 4.45 ERA), who will begin for the Astros.
Javier has made seven begins since getting back from Tommy John surgical procedure. He ended a five-game winless stretch by beating the Texas Rangers final Wednesday when he gave up two runs and 5 hits over six innings.
Javier, 28, is 4-4 with a 3.92 ERA in 14 profession appearances (11 begins) in opposition to the A’s.
Left-hander Jeffrey Springs (10-11, 4.17) begins for the Athletics. He’s 0-4 with a 4.73 ERA over his final eight turns.
Springs, 33, defeated the Astros on July 25 when he gave up two runs and 4 hits over six innings. He’s 2-0 with a 4.70 ERA in opposition to Houston in three profession appearances (one begin).
–Discipline Degree Media
