It’s another “must win.” Almost
Here’s what the Astros must do to make the playoffs:
Win one of the remaining two: clinch Wild Card
Win two: WC the minimum, but if Seatle wins one of two remaining with Texas, the Astros will be Division champs due to a tie-breaker with the Rangers.
Lose the next two, probably out unless Seattle loses both to the Rangers with Seattle’s two best pitchers going.
If Arizona can beat Justin Verlander tonight, they clinch a WC berth, which means they will probably rest their best players tomorrow for a game that will probably decide if the Astros make the playoffs if they lose tonight.
Lineup:
2B……………………Altuve
3B…………………….Bregman
DH…………………….Alvarez
RF……………………..Tucker
1B……………………..Abreu
LF……………………..McCormick
CF……………………..Dubon
SS……………………..Pena
C……………………….Maldonado
Brantley and Diaz sit. Verlander gets to write out the lineup card. It must be in his contract. Oh well, Maldonado and Dubon have both made important offensive contributions of late.