AL runs through Houston: Astros clinch top seed

1 year ago
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HOUSTON — With the Yankees’ 2-1 loss to the Orioles on Friday night, the Astros secured the top seed in the American League and home-field advantage through the American League Championship Series. It’s the third time in franchise history Houston will finish with the top record in its league.

The Astros were the second team in the Major Leagues to clinch a playoff berth, and they followed it up by clinching the AL West title, their fifth in the past six seasons. The only thing left was securing the No. 1 seed in the AL and with the Yankees’ loss, they ensured the road to the World Series will go through Minute Maid Park, where they have gone 51-24 this season.

It will be the first postseason since 2019, when the Astros went to the World Series but fell to the Nationals, that Houston will hold home-field advantage in the AL.

The Astros’ opponent is the only mystery left, as they will face either the Rays, Mariners or Blue Jays in the AL Division Series. As the No. 1 seed, Houston will play the winner of the AL Wild Card Series between the Nos. 4 and 5 seeds.