2026 Astros

[rupert3]

Good comeback but just short so what now.  I still beleive

 

[AggiesAreWe]

I would love to make it easy and have Houston win the last two to win the division but it's not necessary.

Any combo of a Houston win and an Arlington loss would clinch the division for the Astros.

But I would feel much better with them winning the last two then it would not matter what Arlington does.

[baddog]

Astros botched a double play which was the start of the 6 run inning that was our demise. 

[AggiesAreWe]

Arlington won so we really need to win this game tonight.

Up 3-1 in top of 5th

[baddog]

6-1 top 5th. Alvarez with a 3 run shot.

[AggiesAreWe]

Houston wins 13-2.

All we need now is a win tomorrow or a loss by Arlington and we are division champs.

Not surprised at all that it comes down to the final day.

[spidersal]

Super win tonight 13-2  Looks like Spence may be a 2nd outfielder that can hit to go along with Alvarez 

A win tomorrow and they’re in, a loss and probably sitting at home. If they pitch Javier, we better hope the Rangers lose

[baddog]

Astros have two paths. Rangers only have one. 

[AggiesAreWe]

2 minutes ago, baddog said:

Astros have two paths. Rangers only have one. 

Actually, Houston has three paths.

Astros win division:

with a win

or Arlington loss

or any tie (both teams win or lose)

Arlington wins division:

with a win and an Astro loss

[baddog]

Just now, AggiesAreWe said:

Actually, Houston has three paths.

Astros win division:

with a win

or Arlington loss

or any tie (both teams win or lose)

Arlington wins division:

with a win and an Astro loss

Yes, win win, win loss, loss loss. Rangers have one, win loss. Thanks.

[baddog]

4 minutes ago, AggiesAreWe said:

Actually, Houston has three paths.

Astros win division:

with a win

or Arlington loss

or any tie (both teams win or lose)

Arlington wins division:

with a win and an Astro loss

I knew that and my math failed me this early in the morning. Lol

[AggiesAreWe]

Houston is starting Lambert today on just two days rest.

Lambert started Thursday against the A's, going 2 and 2/3rds, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits (2 HR), 6 K's and 2 BB. A total of 62 pitches.

Look for him to go no more than 3 innings today then bring in Sousa, Blubaugh, Hendrickson, Abreu and Hader. Hader hasn't pitched since Wednesday so he could go two innings if needed.

With Wesneski going 7 innings last night, Houston didn't have to use any of their leverage guys out of the pen. Blanco pitched the last two innings giving up no runs on no hits, 3 K's. Sousa, Blubaugh and Hendrickson have not pitched since Friday. Sousa 5 pitches, Blubaugh 15, Hendrickson 4. Abreu hasn't pitched since Thursday going 1 1/3 with 14 pitches. 

In other words, Houston bullpen should be rested if one can say that in Game 162.

A's are making it a bullpen day. They are starting reliever Seth Johnson. Johnson pitched against Houston on Friday. 1 IP, 1 H, 1 run, 1 K. He gave up a HR to Smith. Had a total of 16 pitches. His ERA on the season is 6.19.

Houston will need to continue to produce runs like they did last night against an A's pitching staff that is the worst in the AL with a team ERA of 5.48. Houston has a team ERA of 4.48. In this current series with the A's the Astros have scored 25 runs in 3 games.

Give me 8 runs by Houston today and I like our chances.

[baddog]

I guess I said the Astros had 2 paths because all we can do today is win or lose. Just the combinations make it 3.