The Houston Astros' magic number to win the American League West currently sits at 22 as of September 2. For all the talk that surrounded the Astros earlier this season, being mentioned in the same conversation as the Detroit Tigers, the team's inconsistent play over the last two months has led to the magic number not feeling entirely safe. It's not only a reminder that September will be an important month for the Astros, but that one of their division rivals is suddenly creeping up on them.
It was at the MLB trade deadline that it felt like the division was going to come down to the Astros and Seattle Mariners, but the Texas Rangers' hot streak has seen them emerge as a threat to Houston's magic number.