The Houston Astros could have been dethroned within the AL West by the relentless Oakland Athletics. They could be public enemy No. 1 for baseball followers following the revelation of their elaborate sign-stealing scandal. And who is aware of, the 2020 model won’t even be that good.

But regardless of all of it, they’re postseason certain.

Paradoxically, the Astros clinched Friday night time because of the Dodgers 9-5 win towards the Angels. Those self same Dodgers misplaced to Houston within the 2017 World Sequence, when the sign-stealing was reportedly at its top. Those self same Dodgers additionally had dangerous blood with Houston earlier this season, which stemmed from the sign-stealing. Now they’ve finished Houston a favor.

The Astros are going to the postseason for the fourth consecutive 12 months. It’s the primary time in franchise historical past the Astros have made the playoffs in 4 straight seasons.

Additionally they spherical out the AL postseason season discipline, with the Blue Jays clinching the second AL wild-card spot earlier within the night time. The sector of eight is the Rays, A’s, Twins, Yankees, Indians, White Sox, the Jays and Astros.

The Astros are again within the postseason, clinching the second-place spot within the AL West. (Photograph by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Pictures)

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Whereas 2020 hasn’t been good for many, the circumstances have one way or the other benefited the Astros. Enjoying in empty stadiums has prevented them from listening to and feeling disdain from baseball followers. Past that, the expanded postseason format has seemingly allowed them to achieve a postseason they in any other case wouldn’t have.

At 29-28, Houston has simply the eighth-best file within the American League. Previous to 2020, solely 5 groups from every league certified for the postseason.

It won’t appear truthful, however these are the foundations. No less than this season. In contrast to the previous few seasons, everyone seems to be enjoying by the identical guidelines. Houston included.

Additionally true is that Houston gained’t be getting into the postseason at something near full energy. Ace right-hander Justin Verlander is out for the season after present process Tommy John surgical procedure. Relievers Roberto Osuna, Brad Peacock and Chris Devinski are additionally out for the season, as is designated hitter Yordan Alvarez. It’s additionally clear Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are enjoying at lower than 100 %.

It is going to be a troublesome highway for this Astros staff to navigate, however merely getting in offers them a combating probability.

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