Houston Astros Staggering Rangers Sweep Impacts Playoff Hopes
The Houston Astros completed their obliteration of the Texas Rangers, sweeping their AL West rivals with a 12-3 victory on Wednesday night.
But, how much did it help the Astros in the American League West race? Well, their lead did not shrink, at least not on the team immediately behind them in the standings.
Despite the win over the Rangers, the lead over the Seattle Mariners held steady and tenuous. But, every win counts for the Astros from a magic number perspective.
Now, the Astros return home to begin a nine-game stretch against teams with losing records — the San Diego Padres, the Oakland Athletics and the Kansas City Royals, the last of which is on the road. It’s a good opportunity for the Astros to rack up more wins and to stay ahead of the Mariners.
Meanwhile, the Mariners play four games with the Tampa Bay Rays starting on Thursday while the Astros have the day off.
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. 7
Wednesday’s AL West results
Houston 12, Texas 3
Seattle 8, Cincinnati 4
Standings
Houston (80-61): — (Magic Number to clinch AL West: 22)
Seattle (78-61): — One game back
Texas (76-63): Three games back
What’s Left?
Seattle (23): Thursday-Sunday: at Tampa Bay (4); Sept. 11-13: vs. Los Angeles Angels (3); Sept. 15-17: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (3); Sept. 18-20: at Oakland (3); Sept. 22-24: at Texas (3); Sept. 25-27: vs. Houston (3); Sept. 28-Oct. 1: vs. Texas (4)
Houston (21): Friday-Sunday: vs. San Diego (3); Sept. 11-13: vs. Oakland (3); Sept. 15-17: at Kansas City (3); Sept. 18-20: vs. Baltimore (3); Sept. 22-24: vs. Kansas City (3); Sept. 25-27: at Seattle (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Arizona (3)
Texas (23): Friday-Sunday: vs. Oakland (3); Sept. 11-14: at Toronto (4); Sept. 15-17: at Cleveland (3); Sept. 18-20: vs. Boston (3); Sept. 22-24: vs. Seattle (3); Sept. 25-27: at Los Angeles Angels (3); Sept. 28-Oct. 1: at Seattle (4)
AL Wild Card Race as of Sept. 7
(Top three teams clinch Wild Card berths)
Wednesday’s AL Wild Card results
Houston 12, Texas 3
Seattle 8, Cincinnati 4
Tampa Bay 3, Boston 1
Oakland 5, Toronto 2
Tampa Bay (85-55): +8.0 Games (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 15)
Seattle (78-61): — +1.5 Games (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 22)
Toronto (77-63): — (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 23)
Texas (76-63): — .5 games back of final Wild Card berth
What’s Left?
Tampa Bay (22): Thursday-Sunday: vs. Seattle (4); Sept. 11-13: at Toronto (3); Sept. 14-17: at Baltimore (4); Sept. 19-21: vs. Los Angeles Angels (3); Sept. 22-24: vs. Toronto (3); Sept. 26-27: vs. Boston (2); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Toronto (3)
Seattle (22): Thursday-Sunday: at Tampa Bay (4); Sept. 11-13: vs. Los Angeles Angels (3); Sept. 15-17: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (3); Sept. 18-20: at Oakland (3); Sept. 22-24: at Texas (3); Sept. 25-27: vs. Houston (3); Sept. 28-Oct. 1: vs. Texas (4)
Texas (23): Friday-Sunday: vs. Oakland (3); Sept. 11-14: at Toronto (4); Sept. 15-17: at Cleveland (3); Sept. 18-20: vs. Boston (3); Sept. 22-24: vs. Seattle (3); Sept. 25-27: at Los Angeles Angels (3); Sept. 28-Oct. 1: at Seattle (4)
Toronto (22): Friday-Sunday: vs. Kansas City (3); Sept. 11-14: vs. Texas (4); Sept. 15-17: vs. Boston (3); Sept. 19-21: at New York Yankees (3); Sept. 22-24: at Tampa Bay (3); Sept. 26-28: vs. New York Yankees (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: vs. Tampa Bay (3)
