Astros Return to Postseason, Clinch Playoff Berth for 7th Straight Year
For the seventh year in a row, the Houston Astros are going to the postseason.
Houston clinched a postseason berth with its 1-0 victory Saturday night over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
For the second straight night, Houston kept Arizona's offense quiet. Saturday, it was Justin Verlander's turn to shut down the Diamondbacks' lineup. Verlander allowed no runs off two hits and three walks across five innings pitched in the Astros' victory. Bryan Abreu picked up his 25th save of the season. The Astros scored the game's lone run off of Jose Abreu's RBI double in the top of the fourth inning.
Despite losing, the Diamondbacks clinched their first trip to the postseason since 2017, Saturday, thanks to the Cincinnati Reds' 15-6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. After Saturday, all 12 playoff teams have been determined. Seeding for the playoffs, however, is still up in the air.
The Diamondbacks (84-77) are a half-game back of the Miami Marlins (84-76) for the third and final AL Wild Card spot. However, the Marlins had a game Thursday night at Citi Field against the New York Mets that was suspended and never completed. It remains unclear as to whether or not the Marlins will have to travel back to New York to play the remaining four outs of Thursday's game, or not. The game's outcome could play a critical role in seeding the National League Playoffs.
The Texas Rangers eliminated the Seattle Mariners from contention Saturday, with their 6-1 win at T-Mobile Park. The Rangers remain one game in front of the Astros. If Seattle defeats Texas Sunday and Houston completes a sweep of Arizona, the Astros will win the American League West for the third straight year, and the sixth time in seven years. In this case, the Astros would force a tie. Houston owns the tiebreaker over Texas, having won nine of their 13 games against the Rangers in 2023.
A division title will mean the difference between having a first round bye in the postseason, and playing on the road in the AL Wild Card Series next week.
Houston will play its final game of the regular season Sunday against the Diamondbacks. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET.
