Will Astros Win Over Mariners Spark Postseason Clinch?
The Houston Astros will be in a fight to the finish, that’s a guarantee.
The American League West is loaded with multiple talented teams fighting for playoff spots, but only two will likely be playing come early October.
On Monday, Justin Verlander pitched eight epic innings to secure a much needed victory over the Seattle Mariners.
Catcher Martín Maldonado played a surprising offensive hero role as the Astros pushed their Wild Card lead to one-and-a-half games over the Mariners.
Houston's offensive stars Yordan Álvarez and Kyle Tucker both homered in the 5-1 victory, giving Verlander the run support he needed to secure the win.
Monday’s much-needed performance could be just what the doctor ordered for the Astros who are in dire need of victories after a their 1-5 stretch at home.
The Texas Rangers, meanwhile, won again on Monday to give them a two-and-a-half game lead over Houston in the division with just five games remaining in the regular season.
That means, the Astros will likely need to make the playoffs through the Wild Card, putting even more importance on this Seattle series.
With the win on Monday, Houston controls their own destiny with just a handful of games remaining and a chance to deliver the knockout blow to their division rivals.
Veteran right hander Christian Javier looks to continue this momentum after coming off one of his best starts of the season his last time out.
Win and they advance. Lose, they go home.
It's not quite that simple based on their lead in the current standings, but that’s the attitude the Astros must have moving forward and into October.
It’s time to shine, and Houston knows what to do when the spotlight comes on.
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