Despite having their worst start in ten years, it’s too early to count the Houston Astros out of the postseason. The Houston Astros have not had the season that they and many in the baseball world had anticipated.
After finishing just one win away from their third consecutive World Series appearance last season, the Astros look like a complete shell of themselves. Houston is 16-25 and sits 6.5 games back in the American League West following Monday’s win over the Oakland Athletics. Despite sitting nine games under .500, they are showing promising signs of a resurgence having won four of their last five games.
The Astros have been a staple in the postseason having made it to the ALCS in seven consecutive years, including two World Series championships. With the AL West not being dominated by any one team, Houston still has a viable shot at the postseason. After all, the 2005 edition of the team made it to the World Series after starting the season with a 15-30 record.
How the Astros Can Take a Page from the 2005 Team
While it seems nearly impossible for the Astros to make the postseason, fans who have been around a while know better. Three teams since 1901 have started a season 15-25 and made the postseason, including the 2005 National League champion Astros.
Only three teams since 1901 have started a season 15-25 and made the playoffs: the 1974 Pittsburgh Pirates, the 1989 Toronto Blue Jays and the 2005 National League champion Houston Astros.
The 2024 Astros are 15-25 after securing a series win in Detroit today.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 12, 2024
The 2005 Astros had a star-studded roster anchored by Roger Clemens with Lance Berkman and Craig Biggio leading the lineup. But the 2005 team stumbled out of the gate like this year’s team.
“If you could look for a way to lose a baseball game, we could find a way to lose it,” Biggio said. “It wasn’t just one guy.”
By June 1st, Houston was 19-32 leading the local newspaper to print a tombstone that read “RIP Astros season; April 5, 2005-June 1, 2005.” The tombstone marked a turning point in the season for the 2005 Astros. Houston posted the best record in baseball from June 1st through the end of the regular season going 70-41. The Astros clinched a Wild Card spot on the final day of the season, ultimately advancing to the World Series.
The Astros Postseason Hopes Still Alive
Flash forward to now and not much has changed. Instead of Clemens, the Astros have Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez anchoring the rotation. While Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker, and Yordan Alvarez lead a formidable Astros lineup.
According to Fangraphs, Houston has a 43.3 percent chance to make the playoffs and a 4.1 percent chance of winning the World Series. Consistent victories are crucial for the Houston Astros to bounce back and make their eighth consecutive postseason appearance this season. As the saying goes, you can’t make up 6 1/2 games in two days.
Main Photo: © Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
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