I mean. The Rangers got to throw Hamels in an elimination game, which is exactly why they made that trade. It's exactly why Hamels rejected the trade to Houston, to be honest. The Astros did not get to play an elimination game last night. Oh, right. 14-3. Astros improve to 97-60. Boston and Cleveland both lost, so the Astros are at least guaranteed home-field in the ALDS.
*The 97th win of the season ties them with the 1999 team for 2nd-most wins in franchise history. Their 862 runs scored is 3rd-most in franchise history, 12 behind the 1998 team and a ridiculous 76 runs behind the 2000 Astros.
*The 49th road win of the season tied the franchise record for road wins in a season.
*Dallas Keuchel:
We're still trying to lock up home field advantage for the ALCS, too. That would be real nice.
*So here's the playoff picture with five games remaining:
Cleveland: 98-59
Houston: 97-60
-
Boston: 91-66
New York: 88-69 (-3)
Remember the Astros have to win two more games than Cleveland in order to get home-field in the ALCS. If Cleveland wins three of their last five, the Astros have to win all five. If Cleveland wins four, the Astros can only tie, and Cleveland gets the tie-breaker.
It's hard to make up three games in five days, but with the Astros rolling and within striking distance of Cleveland and going into a four-game series against Boston, it's possible that the Yankees could overtake the Red Sox for the division lead, which would push Boston to the Wild Card game against the Twins.
The Indians get two more games against the Twins before closing out the season with three home games against the White Sox, against whom the Indians are 11-5.
*Bregman:
I don't think we can really focus on [the Indians at all]. I think we need to focus on showing up every day, competing like we've done all year long. We're going to have the task at hand and right now we shift our focus to Nick Martinez and try and get a win.
*Astros runs vs. individual teams, franchise history:
1. Cincinnati - 113 (2004)
2. Oakland - 107 (2017)
3. Arlington - 106 (2017)
4. Seattle - 105 (2015)
5. Pittsburgh - 104 (2000)
*Dallas Keuchel threw 6IP, 5H/2R (1ER), 8K:1BB. 63 of his 102 pitches were for strikes. Keuchel:
I've been feeling better and better. I feel like to the point of I'm back in midseason form. That's good to feel, good for myself.
Four of the five starts Keuchel has made since the Verlander trade, and seven of his last ten, have been Quality Starts. Keuchel, since allowing 8ER vs White Sox on August 8: 58IP, 45H/19ER, 49K:21BB, 2.95 ERA/1.14 WHIP.
*It turns out that the Astros' lineup retaliated against the Rangers by hitting almost every single one of their pitches. The 14 runs last night were the most ever scored by the Astros in a game against the Rangers.
*The Astros recorded 18 hits for the 7th time this season (2nd time against the Rangers in 2017). Alex Bregman, who went 3x5 with 2RBI:
We're having fun playing the game right now. I think that was one of the more fun games we played al year. Everybody was loose, having a good time, and the runs were piling up. We're feeling good at the right time of the year, and I'm excited to be a part of this team.
*Carlos Correa was 3x5 with two doubles and 3RBI.
*Cameron Maybin, who had two hits in ten games since September 8, was 2x4 with a walk, three runs scored, a triple, home run, and 3RBI. They were his first extra-base hits since September 6.
*Here's Sean Pendergast on the Astros getting ready for October.
*Man, I don't want to see Uncle Carlos cry, but he and the Astros Foundation are helping Puerto Rico.
*Jeff Sullivan: What if the Twins win the World Series?
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
