Why Joe Espada is Not Managing Astros at Start of Athletics Finale

The Houston Astros are in the heat of a race to win the American League West so any absence is notable.

On Sunday, manager Joe Espada was not in the dugout with the team for the start of the game with the Athletics, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic (subscription required). Omar Lopez was managing the team in his place.

Per Rome, the Astros announced that Espada was dealing with a family emergency. Saying that Lopez would manage the team to start the game would seem to indicate that Espada will return to the bench at some point on Sunday.

The Astros Playoff Hunt

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez follows through on a swing with his bat. — Houston Astros designated hitter. Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Houston entered the contest with a one-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West race. The Astros (65-65) are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Athletics on Saturday. Houston had a 3-1 lead before the Athletics rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to claim the victory.

The loss dropped Houston to 4-6 in its last 10 games. The reason it’s been able to hang onto the lead in the division is because Texas has the same record in that span — 4-6. The Rangers were in action on Sunday at home against the Los Angeles Angels.

Both teams entered action on Sunday with a negative run differential for the season, as all five AL West teams are in the red in 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 Mariners are three games back of the Astros in the division race and will face Houston in a two-game series during the season’s final week in Seattle.

Houston is entering the home stretch of the season after a nine-game homestand against teams that are under .500, the Astros are heading into a group of tougher matchups. Houston will be in New York City all week, starting with the Yankees for a three-game series on Tuesday and then the New York Mets for a three-game series on Friday. The Yankees have one of the AL wild card berths well in hand and the Mets are out of the playoff race but playing great baseball.

After that, Houston return to host the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 31, a series against the leaders in the AL Central. The Astros host Arizona, which is chasing an NL wild card berth after that, followed by a road trip to Philadelphia and Tampa Bay, both of which are chasing playoff berths.

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