Someone had to win the AL West in 2026. Why not the 81-81 Astros?
Honestly, Sunday’s game against the A’s turned out to be a moot point. The Rangers’ loss to the Twins earlier in the afternoon clinched the AL West title for the Astros. Still, it was nice to win 9-0 on the last day of the season. The pitching staff, with Peter Lambert starting on short rest, threw the ball well in a minor league ballpark that makes me nervous every single time. The lineup showed up in a big way. Yordan Alvarez deserves the AL MVP. No complaints from me today, but ask again on Tuesday.
And this team owes Lucas Spence a steak dinner in Sacramento’s finest dining establishment tonight.
If you’re keeping count, the Astros have won eight AL West titles in the last ten seasons. That’s awesome.
For a season that started off so poorly, it is nothing short of remarkable that this team won the AL West title. Credit to the Astros, even when things weren’t looking good, in accomplishing that goal. Of course, it certainly helps in a major way when literally every other team in the division is also really bad. An 81-81 record is hardly becoming for a division winner, but it is a better position to be than what the Mariners, Rangers, Angels, and A’s are feeling at the moment. That’s a win in my book and somewhat lessens the overall mediocrity that we were subjected to this season.
But anything can happen in the postseason once you’re in it. Are my hopes high? Not particularly. That said, October baseball is better than no baseball. And if things break the right way, Dana Brown might be the second general manager from the Astros in recent history to receive a ring(s) via UPS or FedEx.
Feature photo from Astros on X
For me, Luhnow is still winning division titles. We are winning despite Crane.
The series against the White Sox and the Guardians are winnable.