Astros’ magic number to clinch AL West down to one.
HOUSTON — Wins and losses can be rendered meaningless during the Astros’ nine remaining games. Individual accomplishments remain within reach, home-field advantage can be attained and portions of the franchise record book can perhaps be rewritten.
Otherwise, Houston’s fate will not change. They will win a third consecutive American League West title, barring a collapse of unexplainable proportions. Whether they secure the top-seed and home-field throughout the playoffs is “not the end all, be all,” A.J. Hinch said recently.
The manager will deploy his depth liberally. Regulars will occasionally rest. Rehabilitating players or those in peril of missing the postseason roster can enjoy the luxury to tinker with whatever needs refining. Each day will reveal more about the few uncertainties that surround Houston’s juggernaut.
Playing against the two dregs of their division allows the Astros to accomplish all this and still be favored every night. They dispatched the hapless Los Angeles Angels 6-4 on Friday night. Their magic number shrunk to one while the Athletics blanked Texas 8-0 in Oakland.
Oakland’s victory means the Astros can clinch the crown with a win of their own Saturday.
“We can feel it,” said Jose Altuve.
Altuve struck a solo home run to on the fifth pitch of Friday’s game. It afforded the Astros a lead they did not relinquish. The victory was but a footnote to a fabulous night by two of the club’s most uncertain commodities.
Carlos Correa drove in half of Houston’s runs and struck homers during each of his first two at-bats.
“I like the freedom in his swing. I like that he’s unrestricted,” Hinch said. “I love his presence on defense. When he gets rewarded for some good swings, we want to see that. He wants to see that. It’s nice when he contributes that way.”
Correa’s solo shot in the third inning spotted the Astros a five-run advantage. When it whittled to two after the fourth, Houston turned to its most reliable relievers to protect it. Four arms combined to toss four scoreless frames to finish the night. None was more relevant than Ryan Pressly.
Four weeks ago Friday, Pressly underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He pitched Friday for the first time since Aug. 20, retiring the side on 10 pitches during the seventh.
Altuve’s home run was his 30th of the season. Four Houston hitters now have at least 30 bombs — a first in franchise history.
Correa’s first home run was his 20th of the season. It was his first hit since spending 26 games on the injured list with lower back pain.
In the third, Correa smacked Barria’s subpar slider into the Crawford Boxes.
“It felt great to get rhythm and timing,” said Correa, who went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his return Tuesday. “Today was a positive day, it obviously gives you confidence. I spent like three hours in the mirror fixing my mechanics the other day. It paid off.
“(My back) feels great. No issues at all. I’ve been working on it and I feel very confident moving forward.”