Houston Astros Cut Playoff Magic Number, Close in on Rangers

The Houston Astros could not have had a better night on Friday when it comes to reaching the American League playoffs.

The Astros (88-72) reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to one with a 2-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. That would have been good enough.

But, the Seattle Mariners whipped the Texas Rangers, meaning that not only did the Astros get a step closer to clinching a playoff berth but they cut the Rangers’ lead in the American League West to one game.

So, the dream of another AL West title is still alive for the Astros. At this point they need to win their final two games and the Rangers need to lose their final two games. It’s thin hope, but there is hope, nonetheless.

There is even a small chance that the Astros can slip into the No. 5 seed, if they win their last two games and Toronto loses its final two games. Seattle’s win prevented the Blue Jays from clinching a playoff berth. But if Toronto wins on Saturday then a playoff berth is theirs.

Below is an update on the race, with the current standings, magic numbers to clinch the AL West and a Wild Card berth, along with the remaining schedules for the teams that are still in the race.

The AL West Race as of Sept. 30

Friday’s AL West results

Seattle 8, Texas 0

Houston 2, Arizona 1

Standings

Texas (89-71): — (Magic number to clinch AL West: 2; Magic number to clinch playoff spot: 1)

Houston (88-72): — 1.0 GB

Seattle (87-73): — 2.0 GB

What’s Left?

Houston (2): Saturday-Sunday: at Arizona (2)

Seattle (2): Saturday -Saturday: vs. Texas (2)

Texas (2): Saturday-Saturday: at Seattle (2)

AL Wild Card Race as of Sept. 30

(Top three teams clinch Wild Card berths)

Friday’s AL Wild Card results

Seattle 8, Texas 0

Houston 2, Arizona 1

Toronto 11, Tampa Bay 4

Standings

Tampa Bay (97-63): +9.0 Games* (Will be No. 4 seed)

Toronto (89-71): — +1.0 (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 1)

Houston (88-72): — (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 1)

Seattle (87-73): — 1.0 GB

*-Clinched playoff berth

What’s Left?

Tampa Bay (2): Saturday-Sunday: at Toronto (2)

Houston (2): Saturday-Sunday: at Arizona (2)

Seattle (2): Saturday-Sunday: vs. Texas (2)

Texas (2): Saturday-Sunday: at Seattle (2)

Toronto (2): Saturday-Sunday: vs. Tampa Bay (2)