AL West Declared Worst Full-Season Division in MLB History as Astros and Rangers Fight for Playoffs

AL West Division: A Historic Low

The American League West has made history, but not for the right reasons. With both the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers standing at a not-so-stellar 79-81, the division will finish the season with the worst winning percentage for a champion in MLB history. The previous record was held by the 2005 San Diego Padres, who finished at 82-80.

Playoff Scenarios: Astros vs. Rangers

As the Astros and Rangers head into their final games of the season, the stakes are high. The Astros control their own destiny and must win their last two games to clinch the AL West title. Conversely, the Rangers need to not only win but also hope for favorable outcomes in the Astros' games.

Injury Impacts

Injuries have compounded the challenges for both teams. For the Rangers, third baseman Josh Jung suffered a broken right hand after being hit by a pitch, eliminating him from participation for at least this final weekend. Manager Skip Schumaker expressed concern over their current situation, stating, "(Jung) is out, that's pretty significant."

Meanwhile, the Astros’ Hunter Brown and relievers collectively allowed six runs in a critical inning against the Athletics, demonstrating the strain on their pitching depth. Jose Altuve commented on their situation, saying, "We control our future right now and if we win these next two games, we're in."

Current Standings and Breakdowns

The following is the current breakdown of the AL West standings:

1. Houston Astros: 79-81
2. Texas Rangers: 79-81
3. Seattle Mariners: 74-86 (eliminated)

Both teams have struggled in September, with the Rangers at 11-11 and the Astros at 9-13, indicating that the division race has been anything but competitive.

Tiebreaker Scenarios

Should the teams finish the weekend with the same record, the Astros hold the tiebreaker due to winning the season series decisively at 9-4. The Rangers must surpass the Astros in wins to take the division. There are several possible outcomes this weekend impacting their fates:

| Astros | Rangers | Result | |---|---|---| | 2 wins | 2 wins | Astros win AL West, Rangers out | | 2 wins | 1 win | Astros win AL West, Rangers out | | ... | ... | ... |

Overall, six scenarios favor the Astros, while the Rangers need to defy the odds with three beneficial outcomes.

Upcoming Games

As the weekend approaches, here's what's on the agenda:

• Saturday:

  • Rangers at Twins: 4:10 PM ET
  • Astros at Athletics: 9:40 PM ET

• Sunday:

  • Astros at Athletics: 3:05 PM ET
  • Rangers at Twins: 3:10 PM ET

With staggered start times, the Astros will know what they need to do heading into Saturday's game, while the Rangers are left to rely on their own efforts.

A Shift in Historical Perspective

This year's AL West champion will finish no better than 81-81, marking a historical low in the league. As such, the 2005 Padres will lose their title for having the worst winning record for a division winner, with the 2026 AL West taking the mantle. The significance of this record emphasizes the need for teams to aim for more robust performances in the future.

The ongoing struggles of both teams in recent games raise concerns about the division's competitiveness. Nonetheless, this weekend’s matchups will determine who claims the playoff berth, regardless of how historically significant their record may be.