The Houston Astros overcame an abysmal 7-19 start to the season to clinch their fourth consecutive American League West title, securing a playoff berth after a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Josh Hader's strikeout of Julio Rodríguez marked a significant turnaround for a team that was once ten games out of first place in June.

While the celebration was subdued, it reflected the team's resilience amidst injuries and changes throughout the season. With a bolstered pitching rotation led by Framber Valdez and support from key hitters like Alex Bregman, the Astros have positioned themselves as a formidable contender heading into the playoffs.