The Launch Angle

Well, these Astros are proving me wrong in the last eight games. Of course, it helps when you play a free-falling Marlins and whatever the Angels for five of those games, so keep that in mind. But those are also the teams you should beat in order to enhance any postseason chances.

Depending on the outcome of Wednesday’s finale against the Angels, the Astros will be within striking distance of the AL West lead when they play the Rangers later this weekend. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting that kind of situation even a couple of weeks ago. But here we are.

While I wouldn’t call this weekend series a must-win situation, there are impacts to consider. For one, the trade deadline. For better or worse, the Astros are looking to buy. But this upcoming series against Texas might determine the exact level of activity. These are also the last three games of the season against the Rangers, so the easiest way to overtake them in the standings is to at least win this series. Again, Wednesday’s outcome matters for both teams, but the Astros winning at least three of the next four games is preferable.

If this weekend ends in Houston’s favor, and if Dana Brown can add another bat, arm, etc., then I feel cautiously more optimistic about this team’s chances. How much more? To be determined, but I’ve seen crazier things in baseball.

Astros @ Angels Game Information and Gamethread Details

Will provide lineup details when released

We hope you will join us and the rest of the Launch Angle community for the game! The turnout has been amazing on the TLA Discord Server for the game threads.

Join us again for today’s game. Just join the Discord server using this link: https://launch-angle.com/discord.

For more detailed instructions, please see the Guide to the Launch Angle.

If you’ve participated in game threads on other Astros sites in the past, you will probably see a lot of familiar names. Chat, lurk, do whatever! (But please say “hi”, so we know you’re not a bot.)

Feature photo from Astros on X