Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — They dug themselves a hole, deployed a flawed roster and dismissed their general manager in the middle of a playoff race. Being in first place and below .500 at the time distilled the essence of this bizarre season.
It laid bare that the Houston Astros, with an aging core and suspect depth, are no longer the dominant force of years past. Their season resembled a six-month ordeal. Self-belief that bordered on obstinacy still proved sound, with American League dysfunction serving as a saving grace.
The Astros are returning to the playoffs, a year after their streak of eight straight appearances ended, to attempt another run at October glory. It will mark their 10th postseason appearance in the last 12 years; only the Los Angeles Dodgers have more in Major League Baseball in that span.
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“The goal at the beginning of the year is to get to the postseason,” shortstop Jeremy Peña said, glasses shielding his eyes from bubbly spray in the visitors’ batting cage at Sutter Health Park. “For us, it came down to the last game of the season. It was a tough year — a lot of ups, a lot of downs, a lot of injuries. But we made it through. And that’s all that matters.”
The Astros won the American League West on the season’s final day. A loss by the Rangers, with whom they entered Sunday tied atop the division, made it official while the Astros were finalizing a 9-0 rout of the A’s. A record of 81-81 produced their eighth AL West title in the past 10 seasons.
“I mean, we got to our goal, right?” said ace Hunter Brown. “You want to make the postseason, you want a chance to win the World Series. And we got that.”
Dubious history belongs to Houston. The Astros are MLB’s first division champion — and first postseason qualifier — to finish with a non-winning record in a full-length season. They logged their fewest wins in a full season since 2014, the final year of a rebuild, when they incurred 92 losses.
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They are, still, a playoff team. They will host an AL wild-card round series against the Chicago White Sox, with Game 1 on Tuesday at Daikin Park.
“It’s a team that’s been there before, and that matters,” manager Joe Espada said. “We’re going to be in front of our home crowd … It’s been a roller coaster season. But just to be here and know the division is back in Houston, the crown is back in Houston, is a good thing.”
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, presents Yordan Alvarez with a championship belt after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, presents Yordan Alvarez with a championship belt after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, presents Yordan Alvarez with a championship belt after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, presents Yordan Alvarez with a championship belt after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) reacts in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez smokes a cigar after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada slide in for a team photo after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Jeremy Peña celebrates with Cam Smith after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Jeremy Peña celebrates with Cam Smith after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert, right, celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Cam Smith, right, and Taylor Trammell celebrate after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Cam Smith, right, and Taylor Trammell celebrate after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros fans cheer after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) cheers toward fans after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez smokes a cigar after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
The Houston Astros gather for a team photo after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
The formula was far from elegant. The Astros posted a negative-32 run differential in a division in which no club had a positive one. They compiled the majors’ seventh-highest team ERA, employed one of the sport’s least productive outfields and used a franchise-record 19 different starting pitchers. They formed a top-heavy offense, albeit one that led the majors in home runs.
But buoyed by a slugging MVP candidate, a sparkplug shortstop, a stalwart bullpen and a starter signed to a minor-league deal — and under the direction of a manager not under contract beyond this season — the Astros met the mandate put forth by their owner in late August.
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“The expectation that I have is that we’re in the playoffs every year,” team owner Jim Crane said Aug. 25, a day after he dismissed general manager Dana Brown. “It’s hard to win every year, but you’ve got to get to the playoffs.”
For the second time in three years, it required the Astros to overcome a brutal start. They sat 11 games under .500 on May 21, scuttled by injuries and a pitching staff that owned baseball’s worst ERA at that point. They are the seventh MLB team since at least 1900 to start 20-31 and reach the postseason, and the first since the 2019 Nationals, who defeated Houston in the World Series.
Hunter Brown made two starts before a shoulder strain sidelined him for 2 ½ months. Cristian Javier, the highest-paid pitcher on the roster, missed three months with the same injury. Josh Hader, the Astros’ $95 million closer, missed the first two months recovering from biceps tendinitis.
In the lineup, Peña played in 10 games before losing five weeks to a hamstring injury. Carlos Correa, the Astros’ third baseman and de facto captain, tore a left ankle tendon May 5 — surgery ultimately ended his season. Still, the club managed a midsummer upswing.
Houston
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
Avg.
Totals
37
9
12
8
8
9
Peña ss
5
1
2
1
0
2
.277
Alvarez dh
4
1
1
1
0
1
.316
e-Wade ph-dh
1
0
0
0
0
0
.205
Paredes 3b
3
0
0
0
1
0
.262
Allen 3b
1
1
1
0
0
0
.283
Altuve 2b
5
0
1
1
0
1
.250
1-Delgado pr-2b
0
0
0
0
0
0
.243
Diaz c
5
1
2
1
0
1
.285
Walker 1b
3
3
2
1
2
0
.226
Spence cf
2
1
1
2
3
0
.218
Smith rf
4
1
2
1
1
1
.210
Trammell lf
3
0
0
0
1
3
.192
d-Barrosa ph-lf
1
0
0
0
0
0
.193
Athletics
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
Avg.
Totals
32
0
5
0
3
7
Bolte cf-lf
4
0
0
0
0
1
.277
Butler rf
4
0
2
0
0
0
.237
Langeliers dh
2
0
1
0
1
0
.262
c-Stefanic ph-dh
0
0
0
0
1
0
.346
Gelof 3b
4
0
0
0
0
3
.256
McNeil 1b-2b
4
0
0
0
0
0
.264
Walton 2b
2
0
0
0
0
1
.261
a-White ph-1b
2
0
0
0
0
1
.254
Kuroda-Grauer ss
4
0
1
0
0
0
.366
Cortes lf
2
0
0
0
0
0
.251
b-Clarke ph-cf
2
0
1
0
0
1
.158
Serven c
2
0
0
0
1
0
.175
Houston
004
002
210_9
12
0
Athletics
000
000
000_0
5
0
a-struck out for Walton in the 7th. b-singled for Cortes in the 7th. c-walked for Langeliers in the 8th. d-popped out for Trammell in the 9th. e-grounded out for Alvarez in the 9th.
1-ran for Altuve in the 8th.
LOB_Houston 11, Athletics 8. 2B_Diaz (16), Allen (7). 3B_Spence (1). HR_Walker (29), off Blewett. RBIs_Altuve (50), Diaz (45), Spence 2 (12), Walker (87), Alvarez (106), Smith (56), Peña (56). SF_Peña.
Runners left in scoring position_Houston 8 (Altuve 2, Trammell 2, Smith 2, Alvarez 2); Athletics 3 (McNeil, Bolte 2). RISP_Houston 5 for 13; Athletics 0 for 3.
Runners moved up_Paredes, Altuve, Diaz. GIDP_Diaz.
DP_ 1 (Kuroda-Grauer, McNeil, White).
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
NP
ERA
2
2
0
0
0
1
41
3.82
3
1
0
0
0
2
34
3.93
1
0
0
0
1
1
18
2.16
1
2
0
0
1
2
23
5.19
1
0
0
0
1
0
16
1.42
1
0
0
0
0
1
10
4.93
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
NP
ERA
1
1
0
0
2
2
36
5.88
1
3
4
4
1
1
19
6.07
1
0
0
0
0
3
21
3.90
1
2
2
2
0
0
22
3.13
1
3
2
2
4
2
48
6.57
1
3
1
1
1
1
27
4.82
1
0
0
0
0
0
13
5.60
Inherited runners-scored_Basso 3-0, Alvarado 1-0, Roycroft 1-1, Hartlieb 3-1. IBB_off Basso (Walker). HBP_Basso (Alvarez).
ABS Challenge_Altuve (Strike-Confirmed); Roycroft (Ball-Confirmed); King (Ball-Confirmed); Rom (Ball-Overturned to Strike).
Pitch timer violations_Basso (pitcher).
Umpires_Home, Ryan Additon; First, Will Little; Second, Ryan Wills; Third, Gabe Morales.
T_3:03. A_10,022 (14,014).
From May 22 through Aug. 2, only the Brewers won more games than Houston. Peña and Yordan Alvarez fueled an offense far too reliant on them and Isaac Paredes. Peter Lambert, an unheralded minor-league signing called up from Triple-A in mid-April, provided stability to the rotation. Hader’s return reinforced a stalwart bullpen, in which Steven Okert and rookie AJ Blubaugh emerged as key pieces.
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“I think it speaks of the character in this clubhouse,” Lambert said. “There’s a lot of guys in here that have been there and done that, and I think just the way they went about their business, for guys like myself it was easy to follow behind.”
Alvarez, the Astros’ only All-Star, authored the eighth 40-homer season in team history and a legitimate bid for a Triple Crown. He settled for a batting title. He could join Jeff Bagwell and Jose Altuve as players to win Most Valuable Player with the franchise. For months, the slugger anchored a top-heavy offense — one that started to crater in August, threatening the club’s playoff aspirations.
Only four teams began Sunday with fewer runs scored since Aug. 1. Altuve, the face of the franchise, authored his least productive 162-game season in over a decade. Christian Walker, the $20 million first baseman, fluctuated offensively after May. No hitter who logged at least 30 games in their outfield had an OPS-plus at or above MLB average, including Daulton Varsho, the Astros’ lone deadline acquisition.
A disastrous homestand against division teams preceded Dana Brown’s dismissal Aug. 24, during his fourth season as GM. How the Astros will treat that role will be a primary question this offseason. After that move, the Astros won four of their next five series, a response that furthered their playoff push.
On Sept. 11, the Astros owned a three-game lead in the AL West. Ensuing sweeps by the Rays and Braves erased that lead and cast into doubt their status as contenders. Uncertainty lasted until the final game of the season. A winning final road trip to Seattle and West Sacramento dispelled it.
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“I think about early May, right, when we were in a tough spot,” Espada said. “Any other team would have folded, but these guys chose not to, man. It’s about the character of this team. They just don’t quit.”
The outcome defies myriad issues. Houston’s front office acquired six pitchers on major-league deals last winter. They compiled a 5.52 ERA for the Astros this season. Three were designated for assignment. Marquee free agent Tatsuya Imai lost his rotation spot. So did trade addition Mike Burrows.
Two starters threw more than 100 innings: Hunter Brown and Lambert. Hayden Wesneski, who returned in July from elbow surgery, offered a boost down the stretch. Espada maneuvered a bullpen that logged the sixth-most innings in the majors yet compiled the eighth-lowest ERA from June 1 on.
“Joe was great for us all year,” Peña said. “He kept us level-headed. We had a lot of things that didn’t go the way we wanted from the jump. But I feel like Joe, as the head of the group, as the leader, he kept everyone cool, calm and collected. And we got into the postseason.”
Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) reacts in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros pitcher Miguel Ullola (66) reacts after striking out Athletics Zack Gelof (20) to end the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros pitcher Miguel Ullola (66) reacts after striking out Athletics Zack Gelof (20) to end the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros pitcher Miguel Ullola (66) delivers during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez (44) gets high-fives in the dugout after scoring on Yainer Diaz’s double during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Christian Walker, right, celebrates with Lucas Spence (28) after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) drops his bat after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) hits a solo home run during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros pitcher Ethan Pecko (70) delivers during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) reacts after hitting a 2-RBI triple during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) reacts after hitting a 2-RBI triple during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) hits a 2-RBI triple during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) hits an RBI double during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) scores on Jose Altuve’s sac-RBI during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) hits a sac-RBI during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz, right, gets between Taylor Trammell and umpire Ryan Additon after Trammell was called out on strikes to end the top of the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros Taylor Trammell turns toward umpire Ryan Additon after Trammell was called out on strikes to end the top of the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Cam Smith (11) draws a walk during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Athletics catcher Brian Serven (10) fields ground ball by Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) reacts after hitting a single during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) hits a single during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) hits a single during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert (38) reacts after getting Athletics Jeff McNeil to end the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert (38) reacts after getting Athletics Jeff McNeil to end the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) tries to get to a single by Athletics Lawrence Butler during the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert (38) delivers during the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Fittingly, Lambert drew the start in game 162. Pitching on two days’ rest, after throwing 62 pitches Thursday, the right-hander gave Houston two scoreless innings. He logged nearly 50 more innings this season than any other Astros pitcher. Their lineup struck for four runs in the third inning, capped by a two-run triple from center fielder Lucas Spence, playing in his 19th major-league game.
Thursday, Spence had become the third player to hit his first three MLB home runs in the same game. Saviors can arise from anywhere in a playoff race. Ethan Pecko, in his eighth major-league appearance, followed Lambert with three scoreless innings. Miguel Ullola, in his 11th, added a scoreless frame. The Astros led 8-0 when Texas’ loss went final, securing their spot in the playoffs.
“This is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of,” said Pecko, a 2023 draft pick who debuted in August, “and hope to keep it going.”
As the Rangers’ loss finalized, reaction in the Astros’ dugout was muted. So was their response as Imai recorded the last out against the A’s, whose Triple-A clubhouse made for a unique celebration. Players and staff spilled into the adjacent batting cage, where Espada delivered a speech, bottles sprayed and the Astros let loose before boarding for home and the task ahead.
The road there resembled none of those before it. But once again, the Astros are postseason-bound.
“I think this team can do some special things,” Walker said. “We’re feeling good, momentum’s high, and I think that’s what the postseason’s about. You get hot at the right time and anything’s possible.”