Houston Astros Drop into AL Wild Card Chase with Loss

In one night the Houston Astros went from leading the American League West to having a tenuous claim on the final AL wild card berth.

The Astros (85-69) were hoping that their struggles against the Kansas City Royals were behind them. But, Kansas City came into Houston on Friday night and beat the Astros for the third time in their last four meetings.

Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers defeated the Seattle Mariners in a move that allowed the Rangers to flip into first place in the division. With that, the Astros fell into the Wild Card race, where they enter Saturday’s action with a half-game lead on Seattle for the final Wild Card berth.

Nothing is decided. The Astros could easily flip back into the division lead with a victory on Saturday, coupled with a Rangers loss. But the Astros don't want to risk falling further behind the Rangers and making it more difficult for them to climb back into the divisional lead. After Friday's results, it's easy to see that the margins are small.

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. 23

Friday’s AL West results

Texas 8, Seattle 5

Kansas City 7, Houston 5

Standings

Texas (85-68): — (Magic Number to clinch AL West: 9)

Houston (85-69): — 0.5 GB

Seattle (84-69): — 1.0 GB

What’s Left?

Houston (8): Saturday-Sunday: vs. Kansas City (2); Monday-Wednesday: at Seattle (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Arizona (3)

Seattle (9): Saturday-Sunday: at Texas (2); Monday-Wednesday: vs. Houston (3); Sept. 28-Oct. 1: vs. Texas (4)

Texas (9): Saturday-Sunday: vs. Seattle (2); Monday-Wednesday: at Los Angeles Angels (3); Sept. 28-Oct. 1: at Seattle (4)

AL Wild Card Race as of Sept. 23

(Top three teams clinch Wild Card berths)

Friday’s AL Wild Card results

Texas 8, Seattle 5

Kansas City 7, Houston 5

Toronto 6, Tampa Bay 2

Standings

Tampa Bay (94-61): +8.5 Games*

Toronto (86-68): — +1.0 (Magic Number to clinch: 8)

Houston (85-69): — (Magic Number to clinch: 9)

Seattle (84-69): — 0.5 GB

*-Clinched playoff berth; seeding still TBA

What’s Left?

Tampa Bay (7): Saturday-Sunday: vs. Toronto (2); Tuesday-Wednesday: vs. Boston (2); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Toronto (3)

Seattle (9): Saturday-Sunday: at Texas (2); Monday-Wednesday: vs. Houston (3); Sept. 28-Oct. 1: vs. Texas (4)

Texas (9): Saturday-Sunday: vs. Seattle (2); Monday-Wednesday: at Los Angeles Angels (3); Sept. 28-Oct. 1: at Seattle (4)

Toronto (8): Saturday-Sunday: at Tampa Bay (2); Tuesday-Thursday: vs. New York Yankees (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: vs. Tampa Bay (3)