Can Astros Catch Texas Rangers In AL West Standings?

Will the Houston Astros be able to catch the Texas Rangers for the AL West Divisional title?

The battle for the American League West divisional crown will be one of the most exciting races to watch down the stretch.

After the Texas Rangers attacked free agency the past two seasons to contend for the playoffs, the financial commitment by ownership seems to have paid off.

The Houston Astros trail the Rangers in the standings entering Thursday night by one-and-a-half games after losing the series finale to the Boston Red Sox.

Will the Astros be able to catch Texas in the standings to win their third straight AL West title?

FanGraphs seems to think so.

Based on their projections, they give Houston a 8.3% chance to win the division over the Rangers. This comes despite the Astros having a more difficult schedule down the stretch based on opponent win percentage.

The divisional rivals only face each other in more more series this season coming in early September. Texas will host that pivotal series that could decide who wins the AL West.

Before that though, the Astros play the struggling Red Sox three times and the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees three times.

That stretch comes as the Ranges play the AL Central leading Minnesota Twins seven times, the NL Central leading Milwaukee Brewers three times and the Arizona Diamondbacks twice.

At worst, the Houston pulls even in the standings during this stretch before the pivotal series. At best, they separate themselves and are leading before they travel to play the Texas.

Winning the division is important. With the extra Wild Card team added, the winner of the AL West will certainly get a bye and avoid a best-of-three series where anything can happen.

If the Astros want to get back to the World Series to defend their title, they have to surpass the Rangers in the standings and hold off the surging Seattle Mariners.