UPDATE: The Houston Astros’ remarkable streak of eight consecutive playoff appearances has officially come to an end following a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on September 30, 2023. The crushing blow came when the Cleveland Guardians clinched the final American League playoff berth, eliminating the Astros in the process.
As the Astros played at Angel Stadium, they held onto a faint hope that the Texas Rangers would falter against the Guardians. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Cleveland’s C.J. Kayfus was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the ninth, leading to a 3-2 walk-off victory over Texas. This result sealed the Guardians’ postseason fate and marked the first time since 2016 that Houston will not compete in the playoffs.
The Astros, who finished the season with a record of 86-75, have been a dominant force in the American League, making seven consecutive trips to the AL Championship Series from 2017 to 2023, claiming four pennants and two World Series titles.
“I want to apologize to the fans in Houston for falling short. It’s not what they’re accustomed to,” said Astros infielder Carlos Correa. “We promise our fans in Houston that this offseason is going to be one of a lot of hard work. We’re going to get better, and next year is going to be one to remember.”
This season was marked by significant challenges for Houston, including the absence of key players. Third baseman Alex Bregman signed with the Boston Red Sox, while outfielder Kyle Tucker was traded to the Chicago Cubs. Additionally, the Astros lost their top slugger, Yordan Alvarez, to injuries for much of the season.
Entering the final weekend, Houston was still in contention for a fifth consecutive AL West title, tied with Seattle. However, a three-game sweep by the Mariners and consecutive losses to the Athletics dashed their playoff hopes. The Astros needed to win their last two games and hope for losses from the Guardians or the Detroit Tigers to extend their playoff streak.
Despite those efforts, both Cleveland and Detroit secured postseason spots on Saturday, leaving the Astros devastated. “That’s a meeting, that’s a conversation that you don’t want to have with your team,” stated Astros manager Joe Espada after the game. “This is my eighth season, and this has never happened. But it happened today.”
Player Christian Walker, who hit two solo homers in the final game, expressed disappointment but remains optimistic about the future. “This stinks. It hurts, for sure. We poured a lot of energy and emotion into the season,” Walker said. “Even with the lineup and the roster we have, I think this group can win a World Series, for sure.”
As the Astros prepare to face the Angels in their season finale, the focus shifts to a critical offseason. With a commitment to return stronger, the team aims to reclaim its position among the elite in Major League Baseball.
