Astros Wild Card Magic Number Drops Entering Arizona Series

The Houston Astros could be tied with Toronto for the second Wild Card berth if things break right during their off-day on Thursday.

The Houston Astros might not be able to catch the Texas Rangers in the American League West. But they put some distance between themselves and the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

The Astros beat the Mariners, 8-3, as they opened up a 1.5-game lead for the final spot in the AL Wild Card playoffs.

Something else important happened. The Toronto Blue Jays lost to the New York Yankees, cutting the Blue Jays’ lead for the second Wild Card spot to just 0.5 games. With the Astros off on Thursday, and the Blue Jays wrapping up their series, it’s possible the Astros could be tied with the Blue Jays by Friday. Toronto would have to lose in that scenario.

As for the Rangers, well, the Astros remained 2.5 games back because Texas beat the Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers can’t clinch the division, even with a win over Seattle on Thursday, but they can clinch a playoff berth.

Houston could wake up on Friday down 2.0 games or 3.0 games. If it’s the latter, their hopes of a division title are on life support.

Below is an update on the race, with the current standings, magic numbers to clinch the AL West and a Wild Card berth, along with the remaining schedules for the teams that are still in the race.

The AL West Race as of Sept. 28

Wednesday’s AL West results

Texas 5, Los Angeles Angels 0

Houston 8, Seattle 3

Standings

Texas (89-69): — (Magic number to clinch AL West: 2; Magic number to clinch playoff spot: 1)

Houston (87-72): — 2.5 GB

Seattle (85-73): — 4.0 GB

What’s Left?

Houston (3): Friday-Sunday: at Arizona (3)

Seattle (4): Thursday-Saturday: vs. Texas (4)

Texas (4): Thursday-Saturday: at Seattle (4)

AL Wild Card Race as of Sept. 28

(Top three teams clinch Wild Card berths)

Wednesday’s AL Wild Card results

Texas 5, Los Angeles Angels 0

Houston 8, Seattle 3

New York Yankees 6, Toronto 0

Tampa Bay 5, Boston 0

Standings

Tampa Bay (97-62): +10.5 Games* (has clinched no worse than No. 4 seed)

Toronto (87-71): — +0.5 (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 3; Magic Number to clinch No. 2 Wild Card berth: 4)

Houston (87-72): — (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 3)

Seattle (85-73): — 1.5 GB

*-Clinched playoff berth

What’s Left?

Tampa Bay (3): Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Toronto (3)

Houston (3): Friday-Sunday: at Arizona (3)

Seattle (4): Thursday-Saturday: vs. Texas (4)

Texas (4): Thursday-Saturday: at Seattle (4)

Toronto (4): Thursday: vs. New York Yankees (1); Friday-Sunday: vs. Tampa Bay (3)