Does This Number Mean Houston Astros Won't Make Playoffs?

The Houston Astros are 39-33 after their 9-7 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Astros were dealt a sweep, but only lost a little ground in the American League West.

The Texas Rangers remain in the lead. The Los Angeles Angels are second 4.5 games back. The Astros are 5.5 games back. The race is by no means over. After all, it’s not even July.

But, that 39-33 number after 72 games is their worst record after 72 games since 2016. And there’s the problem.

That year, 2016, just happens to be the last time the Houston Astros failed to make the playoffs.

Is it useful to look back at that season?

After 72 games in 2016, the Astros were 36-36. But they climbed a mountain to get there. Houston was 10 games under .500 at the end of April (7-17). Houston then went 17-11 in May, including winnings seven of their last eight.

The Astros then won 12 of their next 19 games to get to .500 for the first time since they were 1-1. But, at .500, they were 10 games back of the lead in the AL West.

Houston got as close as 2.5 games of the division lead on July 27, but it was a classic case of running out of steam. The Astros finished 84-78 and were 11 games back in the division.

Since then? The Astros have made six straight postseason appearances, reaching the ALCS all six times, the World Series four times and winning the title twice, including in 2022.

The trajectory is different this season. The Astros were 15-13 at the end of April but used an eight-game winning streak from May 14-22 to reach 28-19.

That has given the Astros some cushion as they’ve struggled in June. Houston is 7-10 through Sunday, and that includes losing eight of their last 11.

The Astros’ next stretch is pivotal. Houston hosts the New York Mets for three games, and then goes on the road for a 10-game, 11-day road trip to the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis and AL West front-runner Texas.

By the way. After 85 games in 2016 the Astros were 46-39 and 6.5 games back of the division lead. For what it’s worth.

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