The Astros are 3.5 games behind the Rangers for first place in the AL West.
They are also 3.5 games behind the Orioles for the 1st AL wild-card spot.
And 2.5 games behind the Blue Jays for the 2nd AL wild-card spot.

Tonight's Astros game will begin a stretch of 13 out of 16 games at home.

That includes 4 against the Blue Jays and 3 against the Rangers. Two teams they are trying to catch in the playoff race.
But they play 3 with the Angels and 3 with the Yankees beforehand, with three games at Detroit sandwiched in between.

This is a critical stretch of games to say the least. Probably the biggest home stand of the season.

Hopefully Lance McCullers can set the tone tonight with a great outing against the Angels.

I'm a little disappointed that the Astros didn't call up Alex Bregman.
They decided to call up Preston Tucker instead. Maybe soon...

Lance McCullers has a 4-hit shutout through 8 innings and 10 strikeouts (2 walks). A very nice outing tonight.
The Astros lead 2-0 in the middle of the 8th. He's at 105 pitches so not sure if he'll go for the complete game.

Calhoun, Trout and Pujols are due up for the Angels on the top of the 9th.
So it won't be easy. Whether it's McCullers or the bullpen. We need this win.

Could be 2.5 games behind the Rangers for first place in the AL West. Royals lead the Rangers 3-1 late in their game.
And 1.5 games behind the Blue Jays for that second AL wild-card spot. The Mariners defeated the Blue Jays, 2-1.

Jose Altuve had two more hits tonight. Hitting .358 on the year. His 135 hits on the year lead all of Major League baseball.

McCullers walked Calhoun to start the top of the 9th.
Man, one swing of the bat by Trout could tie this game. And Pujols is on deck.

I hope A.J. Hinch didn't make a mistake. Will Harris has been warming up in the bullpen.
McCullers has struck out Trout three times tonight but Trout very rarely strikes out four times in a game.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Jul 22 2016 09:00pm

This drama in the ninth inning is crazy.
McCullers walked Trout. Sigh. 1st and 2nd, no outs for Albert Pujols.

Now A.J. Hinch is making a pitching change. Will Harris is coming in.
You could have started the ninth inning with Will Harris.

Now if Pujols gets a hold of one the Angels will take a 3-2 lead.

lol walked trout too. watch pujols hit into a DP tho.

And the Rangers just lost again. We could blow a chance to be 2.5 games back of first place.

Oh my god. Phew. Pujols flied out to right field.
When it left the bat I was thinking three-run homer.
But that's only one out. We need a double play.

stupid ass pujols swinging at ball 4...

wow fuck correa.