September 22, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park Celebrating after hitting a home run. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina -Imagn Images The Houston Astros can capture the American League West title at the expense of the Seattle Mariners, who have essentially no room for error when it comes to their postseason chances.
The host Astros hope to win their fourth straight division title as early as Monday night when they open a three-game series against the second-place Mariners.
Despite blowing a four-run lead in Sunday's 9-8 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Houston (85-71) remains on track to win the division title on Monday at 8-3. That's what Seattle (80-76) did after blowing a five-point lead in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Texas Rangers.
“We have to take care of our business,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “We just have to be ready for (Monday).”
Houston leads the division by five games over the Mariners, who are 6-4 in the season series. Seattle still has a chance to clinch the final AL Wild Card spot, but they can't afford to suffer any more losses and will need help from other teams.
The Mariners had an 11-5 record before suffering a potentially devastating loss on Sunday.
“We've been in this situation before,” Seattle head coach Dan Wilson said. “We've been in trouble for a while… we have to keep fighting.”
However, Seattle should be confident knowing that Bryce Miller (11-8, 3.06 ERA) is expected to take the mound in Monday's series opener, having scored in his past eight starts With a record of 3 wins and 1 loss, the ERA was 1.54.
Despite allowing seven hits in his last three starts, the Texas right-hander allowed two runs and 10 hits in 18 innings during that span. Miller gave up four runs on Wednesday against the New York Yankees, but allowed just two hits and one run while striking out eight and pitching a career-high 106 in six innings. The ball ended in a no-win result.
“The sixth inning was a big one for me,” Miller said. “Just to show that I can go deep, throw a lot of balls and still feel good.”
Miller has started in five career games against Houston and is 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA. Astros star Jose Altuve, who hit a home run on Sunday, is 4-for-11 against Miller in his career.
Scheduled Houston starter Hunter Brown (11-8, 3.57) could set a career high in just his second full major league game. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his past eight starts. He allowed five runs and nine hits in five-plus innings against the Oakland Athletics on Sept. 11, then allowed just two runs and nine hits in six innings last Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. Five hits.
Brown is 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA in five career starts against the Mariners and is 1-0 with an ERA in three starts against the Mariners this year. is 1.65.
Seattle's Julio Rodriguez is 4-for-12 for his career and had two doubles against the Browns. Rodriguez is hitting .363 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in his past 23 games.
Houston All-Star Yordan Alvarez exited Sunday's game with a right knee contusion and it's uncertain whether he'll be able to play Monday.
–Scene-level media