Amid mounting injury concerns, the Houston Astros are slipping in the American League playoff race. With an 8-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday and a Seattle Mariners win, the Mariners moved into first place in the AL West. Houston dropped to the third and final wild-card spot, holding a two-game lead over the Texas Rangers and a 2 1/2-game edge over the Cleveland Guardians.
Framber Valdez struggled in the loss, giving up five earned runs on six hits and four walks across four innings.
Valdez has been strong overall in his eighth season with Houston, posting a 12-9 record and a 3.42 ERA. That said, he’s surrendered 14 runs over his last three starts, all resulting in losses.
With 12 games remaining, the Astros must finish strong to reclaim the division or secure a postseason berth. This will prove difficult, with 13 players on the injured list, including star closer Josh Hader.
Third baseman Isaac Paredes could be nearing a return, as he’s begun taking batting practice while rehabbing a right hamstring strain.
The next two series are pivotal, with Houston set to face Texas and Seattle in three-game sets. With the Rangers close behind and the Mariners now leading the division, the Astros could control their own destiny with wins over their AL West rivals.
The Astros have one of the four longest postseason streaks in MLB history, reaching the playoffs in every season since 2016. If Houston reaches the postseason again this year, Hader is expected to return in time for the opening series.
