{"id":107692,"date":"2025-09-25T22:56:53","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T02:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=107692"},"modified":"2025-09-25T22:56:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T02:56:53","slug":"astros-fighting-postseason-lives-final-weekend-vs-angels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/09\/25\/astros-fighting-postseason-lives-final-weekend-vs-angels\/","title":{"rendered":"Astros Unable to Recreate Late Season Magic, Fighting for Their Postseason Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Houston Astros are in unfamiliar territory. Every single season, for the past eight years, the Astros have made the postseason. For the past seven full seasons, they\u2019ve won the American League West.<\/p>\n

Now, in 2025, their chances of repeating both of those achievements are in serious trouble<\/a>. All incredible runs come to an end, but the Astros\u2019 golden era doesn\u2019t feel like it should end now. Not with the likes of Altuve, Correa, Pe\u00f1a, Paredes, Meyers, Walker, and Diaz on offense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hunter Brown<\/a>, Framber Valdez<\/a>, and Cristian Javier<\/a> lead the pitching staff. However, almost nothing has gone right for this talented team since August.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Framber
Feb 14, 2025; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) plays catch during a spring training workout at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Astros’ Postseason Hopes in Peril Entering Final Weekend<\/h2>\n

When Everything Went Wrong<\/h3>\n

The Astros had a comfortable six-game lead in the American League West in mid-July. Then it started slipping<\/a>. Even in mid-August and early September, the Astros still controlled the division, as minuscule as the lead was.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After a much-needed sweep of the Texas Rangers<\/a> at home, Houston entered the critical weekend series against the Seattle Mariners tied for first. In the biggest moment of the year, the expectation was, as it always has been since 2017, that the Astros would come through.<\/p>\n

It Turned Ugly<\/h3>\n

Nope. Instead, it was a miserable sweep at the hands of Seattle. With ace<\/a> Hunter Brown on the mound, he went six innings and only allowed two runs, but the Astros again failed to score and lost 4-0.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The next day, Houston was losing 6-0 as Valdez collapsed. Even with a seventh-inning grand slam from Jeremy Pe\u00f1a<\/a>, the effort was not enough in the 6-4 loss. The disaster continued on Sunday with the Mariners scoring seven runs in the second inning, marking Jason Alexander<\/a>\u2019s worst outing in an Astros uniform. The final was 7-3.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The losing streak reached five games after terrible offensive showings in Sacramento against the Athletics. Houston lost 5-1 on Tuesday and was shut out again 6-0 on Wednesday. The offense has disappeared when they needed it the most. Despite an 11-5 win on Thursday, Seattle has already clinched the division title.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Detroit won, Astros have to rely on other teams losing. Things get iffy.<\/p>\n

Here are FIVE scenarios where Astros can MAKE the postseason:<\/p>\n

-Astros 3-0
\n-Detroit 1-2
\n-Cle 2-1<\/p>\n

-Astros 3-0
\n-Cle 1-2
\n-Detroit 2-1<\/p>\n

-Astros 3-0
\n-Boston 0-3<\/p>\n

-Astros 2-1
\n-Cle 0-3<\/p>\n

-Astros 2-1
\n-Det 0-3\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) September 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n