With the American West League title all but a lost cause in 2020, the goal for the Houston Astros shifts to finishing in second place in the division, which would ensure a top-six seed in this year’s expanded postseason. But even that is not a given, as the hard-charging Seattle Mariners entered Tuesday just 1.5 games behind the Astros for second place. Houston returned home for their final six home games of the regular season against the two West division cellar dwellers in Texas and Arizona.
George Springer did what he has done best throughout his career, Alex Bregman once again was clutch, and a strong pitching performance by Jose Urquidy led the Astros to an 4-1 series-opening win over the Rangers.