Although the Houston Astros have proven to be uncompetitive in their last two postseason appearances—they have a six-game losing streak that extends back to 2023—I have thoughts opposite to the idea that the Wild Card Series could be the worst scenario for them.
The Houston Astros head into the offseason with a lot more questions than answers. General manager Dana Brown parted ways with the club in late August and manager Joe Espada has questions about whether or not he'll return next season.
It was quite a disappointing year for the Houston Astros, as they were mediocre for most of it, and that is exactly how they finished at 81-81. From the outside looking in, it is great that they took back the division, but it was just a battle of the bads in the AL West.
Making a list of all the things that should be on the Houston Astros offseason agenda: Hire a GM Dana Brown is now out of the organization. The idea of a caretaker GM who can just keep the machine running is long gone.
Can you name every MLB player to hit at least three home runs in multiple postseasons in eight minutes?
Whatever the approach to the disappointing elimination of the Houston Astros after being swept by the Chicago White Sox in the Wild Card Series, the analysis of the postseason debacle during the last three appearances since 2023 has to be a priority.
The 2026 season has been headlined by young players emerging, but some wily veterans have also had their day. As we head toward the end of the regular season, these 30 players stand out as the biggest surprises on their teams.
The Houston Astros have an overcrowded infield heading into the 2027 season. The infield includes the four players who see the most playing time by the end of 2026: Christian Walker, Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena and Isaac Paredes.
It’s not often that a playoff team has a fan base that is irate. You typically don’t see a GM change during a playoff season either. Yet both are true with the 2026 Houston Astros.
Once a team comes up with its projected salary for all of its arbitration-eligible players, it will begin a tender analysis to simply determine: “Are we comfortable guaranteeing Player X this much money?” If the answer is yes, the player will be tendered a contract prior to the mid-November Tender Deadline.
The Houston Astros cannot react to an early postseason exit with minor roster adjustments. After finishing 81-81 and getting swept by the Chicago White Sox in the American League Wild Card Series, Houston needs to attack its two weaknesses: its rotation and an offense lacking speed and dependable outfield production.
The Houston Astros can no longer treat October failure as a temporary setback. After finishing 81-81, winning the American League West on the final day and getting swept at home by the Chicago White Sox, Houston must accept that its championship-era formula has expired.
The Astros were swiftly knocked out of the postseason via a two-game sweep by the upstart White Sox. That’s the third straight year under manager Joe Espada in which Houston failed to make a deep postseason run, having been swept in the Wild Card Series in 2024 and 2026 and missing the playoffs entirely in 2025.
The 2026 season hasn't gone as planned for many MLB players. These 30 players stand out as the biggest disappointments for their respective teams.
Dynasties rarely announce when they are over. There is usually no clean ending, no obvious moment when a team goes from feared to vulnerable. The names are still familiar.
The Chicago White Sox took early leads and relied on their bullpen to complete a two-game sweep of the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card series.
Chase Meidroth hit a backbreaking three-run home run in the sixth inning to help the Chicago White Sox make a big early lead stand up in a 7-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday that capped a two-game sweep of their American League wild-card series.
It took just two games for the Chicago White Sox to sweep the Houston Astros out of the American League Wild Card round and show that the AL West winners were never real postseason contenders.
The Astros announced Wednesday that outfielder Daulton Varsho underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist. He’d been plagued by a pair of cysts in that wrist, which had become increasingly uncomfortable as the final stretch of the season inched toward its conclusion.
Game 2 between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros should unfold significantly differently than Game 1.
Rookie Hagen Smith pitched three innings, allowing no runs on two hits with one strikeout in a 6-3 Chicago White Sox win at the Houston Astros in the first game of the wild-card series on Tuesday.
Game 1 of the White Sox's American League wild-card series at the Houston Astros is on Tuesday.
The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros are both expected to use bullpen games in Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday.
The two teams met up seven times in the regular season, with Houston winning five of the seven games.
The Seattle Mariners are officially looking for a new manager. Here are four potential candidates.
The Chicago White Sox's 9-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies and the 11-5 Cleveland Guardians win over the Kansas City Royals ended the American League Central race.
Despite needing to leave to win a championship, Justin Verlander's eventual plaque inside the Baseball Hall of Fame will likely show him wearing the Detroit Tigers' logo on his cap.
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez deserves to win the 2026 AL MVP.
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