The Houston Astros have an 85-74 record this season and they ended a five-game losing streak when they beat the Athletics 11-5 on Thursday. Houston is on the outside looking in for the postseason picture.
They trail the Detroit Tigers by one game for the last spot in the American League wild card. Detroit and the Cleveland Guardians are tied for first in the American League Central with an 86-73 record. The Astros will face the Los Angeles Angels this weekend and they potentially have to win all three games to give themselves a chance to make the playoffs. What is the Astros' tragic number?
Houston Astros Tragic Number is 2
The Astros do not own a wild card tiebreaker over the Guardians and the Tigers. Houston's tragic number is two. If Houston were to lose two of three games against the Angels this weekend, Detroit, Cleveland, and Boston would be in the postseason. If the Astros were to win at least two of three, they would need help around the league to potentially get the sixth seed in the American League.
Only winning one of three games would not help Houston out either. If they were to miss the playoffs this season, it would be the first time since the 2016 season that they miss. The Astros have many scenarios in how they can either get the sixth seed or the fifth seed in the American League. However, this team has its backs against the wall this weekend in a must-win series.
Houston is hoping it will come down to game 162 on Sunday. Detroit is going to face Boston this weekend, and Cleveland is going to face the Texas Rangers. With the Astros on the outside looking in, the Red Sox, the Tigers, and the Guardians are not safe to make the playoffs yet even with Houston's elimination number being two.
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