With a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night in Houston, the Houston Astros clinched the American League West title, marking a significant achievement in the team's recent history. This victory secures their position as a dominant force, clinching their seventh division title in the past eight years.
Despite various challenges throughout the season, the Astros demonstrated resilience to capture the AL West crown. Over the last eight seasons, Houston has missed the top spot only once, during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, while the last time they fell short of the division crown in a full season was back in 2015. This period of dominance also saw the team surpass the 100-win threshold four times, although this season, they will not reach that milestone and may even fall short of last year's 90 wins.
The Astros' journey this season has been a rollercoaster ride. A slow start saw the team posting a 12-24 record early on. By June 18, they found themselves with a 33-40 record, trailing by 10 games. However, from that point onward, the Astros rallied magnificently, achieving a 53-32 record to eventually clinch the division title. Their ability to overcome a 10-game deficit to reclaim the AL West crown is a testament to their perseverance and tenacity.
A factor contributing to their challenging season was the loss of key starting pitchers. Cristian Javier, José Urquidy, and J.P. France were all ruled out for the season. Additionally, Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis García have not pitched in the majors in 2024. Even seasoned veteran Justin Verlander managed only 16 starts this season, further complicating the team’s pitching strategy. On the offensive side, Kyle Tucker played in just his 75th game on Monday, highlighting the injury woes that plagued the team.
The Astros, however, found a silver lining in their trade deadline acquisition of Yusei Kikuchi, which provided a boost to their pitching staff. This move, among others, has helped the Astros not only stay competitive but thrive in the highly competitive AL West.
Heading into the postseason, the Astros are likely to secure the third seed in the American League playoffs. This seeding would position them against the sixth seed, which corresponds to the final wild-card spot in the AL playoffs. While the seeding scenario is still unfolding, the Astros' playoff history provides a sense of optimism. The team has not failed to reach the American League Championship Series (ALCS) since 2015. During this time, they have claimed four pennants and celebrated two World Series victories, establishing themselves as perennial contenders.
This season's battle for the AL West title showcased the resilience and capability of the Astros, reflecting their unwavering commitment to success. Despite facing numerous adversities, their ability to adapt and overcome has ensured that they remain a formidable force in the league. The journey ahead in the playoffs will present its set of challenges, but if their performance since mid-June is any indication, the Astros are more than prepared to compete at the highest level.