After 158 games, the Astros’ season comes down to four games in West Sacramento.
Houston opens its final series of the regular season Thursday against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. The Astros and Rangers enter the night tied atop the AL West at 78-80. Houston owns the tiebreaker, meaning the Astros need only match Texas over the final four games to win the division.
The Astros could have created some breathing room Wednesday but blew a four-run lead in a 6-5, 10-inning loss to Seattle. Texas also lost, leaving Houston tied for first rather than costing it ground in the division race.
Athletics Have Been a Problem for Houston
The Athletics enter the series at 63-95, but Houston’s results against them this season make their record considerably less reassuring.
The Astros are 4-5 against the Athletics this year. They are 3-3 against them at Daikin Park and 1-2 at Sutter Health Park, where all four games of this series will be played.
Houston’s previous trip to West Sacramento was a wild one. The Astros lost 11-4 on April 3, won 11-0 the following night, then lost the finale 12-10 in 10 innings. At Daikin Park, Houston took two of three in June before the Athletics returned in August and took two of three themselves.
That makes the final series more complicated than simply facing a fourth-place club. Oakland already owns the season-series advantage, and Houston has yet to win a series at Sutter Health Park. MLB also noted this week that playing at the Athletics’ temporary Minor League ballpark can be unpredictable.
Hader’s Workload Looms Large
The Astros will be without closer Josh Hader for Thursday’s series opener after an unusually heavy workload Wednesday in Seattle.
Hader threw 44 pitches over 1 1/3 innings, his most in a regular-season appearance since Aug. 9, 2019. He had not pitched in five days before entering Wednesday’s game. After throwing 19 pitches in a scoreless ninth, Hader returned for the 10th and ultimately allowed two runs—one earned—on two hits and four walks.
Espada confirmed after the game that Hader would have Thursday off because he had returned for a second inning. Beyond Thursday, Hader’s availability is uncertain. Asked how his body might respond to the workload, Hader said it was too soon to tell.
Hader’s absence Thursday could affect more than the ninth inning. Another reliever will have to handle a potential save situation, which could also alter how Espada deploys the bullpen earlier in the game.
The workload came at the end of two taxing nights for Houston’s pitching staff. Cristian Javier’s early exit Tuesday forced the bullpen to cover seven innings. On Wednesday, five relievers followed Ethan Pecko after he lasted just 2 2/3 innings. Espada acknowledged after Wednesday’s loss that Houston had used its “entire arsenal” trying to win the game.
Injuries Thin Astros Roster
The Astros also arrive in West Sacramento without Cristian Javier and Brice Matthews.
Javier was placed on the 15-day IL Wednesday with a Grade 2 right groin strain after leaving Tuesday’s start following two scoreless innings. Matthews went on the 10-day IL with left knee inflammation after injuring the knee on a sliding catch Tuesday. Imaging showed no structural damage, but Espada said there was significant swelling. Neither will be eligible to return for the Wild Card Series if Houston reaches the postseason.
Jeremy Peña and Daulton Varsho are also dealing with injuries. Peña was hit on the right forearm by a 96.4 mph sinker Tuesday. X-rays were negative, but soreness kept him out of Wednesday’s starting lineup. He entered the game as a pinch-runner in the eighth and stole second.
Varsho has missed three consecutive games with a wrist injury. Espada said Wednesday that Varsho is progressing slowly and continues to experience stiffness when he does baseball activity.
Alvarez Takes Triple Crown Chase Into Final Series
Yordan Alvarez enters the final four games with an AL West title and individual history still in play.
Alvarez is batting .316 with 41 home runs and 102 RBI. He enters Thursday leading the American League in batting average and tied for the league lead in home runs, while RBI remains the biggest obstacle in his Triple Crown pursuit.
Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk Wednesday after hitting his 41st home run and driving in three runs Tuesday. He has 174 hits, 101 runs, 33 doubles and 107 walks this season.
A Triple Crown would make Alvarez the first Major League player to accomplish the feat since Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
Series Opens Thursday
Peter Lambert gets the ball for Houston in Thursday’s opener against Mason Barnett. Lambert is 8-10 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 147 strikeouts. Barnett is 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 42 strikeouts.
First pitch is at 8:40 p.m. CT at Sutter Health Park. Friday and Saturday’s games also begin at 8:40 p.m. CT, with Sunday’s regular-season finale scheduled for 2:05 p.m. CT.
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