HOUSTON — The Houston Astros are back in the MLB playoffs for the eighth straight season.
With a win over the Mariners in the 158th game of the season, Houston sealed up its fourth straight American League West division title.
The 2024 playoffs begin on Oct. 1.. All games of the best-of-three series will be played at Minute Maid Park.
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As the division champs with the worst record, the Astros are locked in as the No. 3 seed in the AL playoff bracket -- the top-ranked Wild Card round team. The Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees will be the top two seeds in the AL and will not have to play in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
The Astros will face either the Royals or Tigers, determined by the outcome of the remaining games:
- If the Tigers win and the Royals lose on Saturday, the Astros will face the Royals
- If both teams win Saturday, it'll be decided by Sunday's games
- If both teams lose Saturday, it'll be decided by Sunday's games
- If the Tigers lose and Royals win Saturday, it'll be decided by Sunday's games
The Tigers hold a one-game lead over the Royals, but Kansas City would win the tiebreaker. If the two teams finish with the same records, the Astros will play the Tigers.
The Baltimore Orioles have also secured their spot in the Wild Card round.
The Astros are looking to advance to their eighth straight AL Championship Series and their fifth World Series since 2017.