The Astros just love to crap the bed. At 29-31, the 2020 Houston Astros will be the first team in MLB history to make the playoffs with a record below .500. The 1993 Giants went 103-59 (.636) and missed the playoffs. The worst winning percentages to make the postseason in MLB History.
1: 2020 Houston Astros - .483
1. 2020 Milwaukee Brewers - .483
2: 2005 San Diego Padres - .506
3: 2006 St. Louis Cardinals - .516
4: 2008 Los Angeles Dodgers - .519
4: 1997 Houston Astros - .519
*I'm not even messing with breaking down this game. The Astros retain the Silver Boot. Though they split the season series 5-5, the Astros' out-scored the East Fort Worth Rangers 42-37.
*The Astros went on an eight-game winning streak from August 12-20 to improve to 15-10, then the 6th-best record in the AL. After that the Astros went 14-21 to close out the season - with the easiest schedule in baseball. 14-21 is tied with the Detroit Tigers for the 3rd-worst record in the AL. They had more regulars in the lineup with an OPS under .730 (5) than above (4). They went 9-23 on the road, 4-14 on the road in September, a September in which they went 10-17. The Astros finished the season with a +4 run differential.
*Tomorrow I will not be as pissed off as I am right now.
*The Astros will need to win two out of three on the road against Minnesota. The last time the Astros won two out of three on the road against the same opponent was July 31-August 2 in Anaheim. The matchup is Zack Greinke vs. Kenta Maeda. FanGraphs currently has it 53-47 Twins.
Game 1: Tuesday at 1pm Central on [squints] ABC
Game 2: Wednesday at 12pm Central on ESPN2
Game 3: Thursday at TBD on Some ESPN Network
I hope we can turn it on. We'll see when we get there. These guys have certainly been there, and they know what's at stake.
*Carlos Correa thinks the previous experience the Astros have in the postseason means he thinks they're "going to be fine."
*David Barron: The postseason presents an opportunity for a fresh start.
*On last night's Lima Time Time, Pat & I talked to Robert Flores about, well, the Astros.
*McTaggart: How the Astros can beat the Twins.
*ESPN: This could be the wildest postseason ever.
*Two months after the Angels gave him a 1-year extension, the Angels have apparently fired GM Billy Eppler. Former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto is rumored to be trading for him. Honestly: the Angels have had Mike Trout since 2011. In 1252 games, Trout has hit .304/.418/.582, 302 HR with 201 SBs. And all you get for him is a three-and-out in the ALDS once? Eppler can't control the state of Shohei Ohtani's elbow, but come on, man. Also, Dipoto is as much on the hook for this as Eppler is.
*Don't rule out an Alex Cora return to Boston.
*Leeds United 1 Sheffield United 0. An 88th-minute header from Patrick Bamford got the three points. Somehow Leeds is still at 21% to get relegated by The Bastards FiveThirtyEight. A date with Manchester City looms on Saturday. The Ringer: Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United form a perfect union.
*Why Netflix keeps canceling your favorite shows after two seasons.
*A Playoff Musical Selection: