The Astros are now one loss away from being eliminated in the playoffs.
They have been to the Championship Series seven years in a row. A loss today or tomorrow would end that streak. A betting man would be unwise to wager against the Astros at this point based on their past performance.
But the Astros do have a recent playoff history of playing poorly at home. In satisfying fashion, they lost all four home games to the Rangers last year, and dropped their first home game to the suddenly resurgent Tigers this year.
It wasn’t easy. They had bases loaded, had already scored one run in the ninth, were threatening in the bottom of the ninth, and had All-World playoff hero Jose Altuve on deck.
But in the end, Jason Heyward lined out to first to end the threat. And the entire baseball world north, east, south, and west of Houston, Texas, cheered.
One more loss, please.
*****
TODAY’S GAMES:
1:32, Detroit 1 @Houston 0, ABC
3:38, Kansas City 1 @ Baltimore 0, ESPN
6:38, New York Mets 1 @ Milwaukee 0, ESPN
7:38, Atlanta 0 @ San Diego 1, ESPN 2