Astros Cant’s Squander More Chances to Build Bigger AL West Lead

The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers appear dead set on taking their AL West race to the wire and their divisional rivals are more than happy to help feed the chaos.

The Astros got a favor on Saturday evening as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Texas Rangers (64-66) up Interstate-35 in Arlington. With Houston clinging to A one-game lead in the division, they gave the Astros the opportunity to pad their cushion to two games going into Sunday's finale with the Athletics. All Houston had to do was beat the Athletics.

Enter the gut punch. Staked to a 3-1 lead, Astros reliever Bennett Sousa gave up three runs in the eighth inning as the Athletics rallied to beat Houston (65-65), 4-3.

The lead held at one game.

Astros Keep Squandering Chances

Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown puts his jersey over his nose to wipe sweat off his face. — Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The loss was Houston’s fifth in its last eight games, all at home. This was a huge opportunity for Houston. It was a nine-game homestand and all three opponents were under .500 for the season. They gave the Astros an opportunity to stack up wins and potentially create some distance from the Rangers, who are their closest competition in the division.

Instead, the Astros have gone 4-6 in their last 10 games. From an Astros perspective, this is a missed opportunity. The Rangers could say the same thing for themselves. After all, they are also 4-6 in their last 10 games.

Offense remains a real problem for both the Astros and Rangers. In fact, it's a problem for the entire American League West. All five teams have a negative run differential. The Astros just have the least worst run differential at -43. The Seattle Mariners, who are three games back are at -44 while the Rangers are at -48.

The Astros have been an average baseball team all season. But they took control of the division race in their last home series against the Rangers by sweeping them shortly after the All-Star break.

That sweep was important because it gave Houston the tiebreaker over Texas. If they finish the season tied, the Astros then win the AL West’s playoff berth. The Rangers would have to settle for the final AL wild card berth — if they can clinch it.

But Houston is running out of time. The Astros have picked a bad time to match Texas’ mediocrity. This homestand was an opportunity for the Astros to build momentum, build a multi-game lead and then hit the road with an opportunity to put the hammer down. Instead, it looks like this fight will bleed into late September.

Add us as a preferred source on Google