The Houston Astros-Seattle Mariners series that began on Friday has all the makings of a cinematic event. Two divisional rivals with identical records, tied atop the American League West, battling it out over three games for the pennant. 'This is what it all comes down to!' Surely, media outlets covering the series will lean into this sort of narrative: a high-stakes, desperate affair. But is that the ultimate reality?
Ideally, the Astros will be able to rally after losing the series opener on Friday. However, there’s a comforting sub-plot happening for the Astros, and it makes the present series with Seattle far less of a do-or-die moment than some may realize.