The Astros went into the final game of the MLB season, knowing the team had one more game to play. Depending on the results of game 162, Houston could have been playing against the Texas Rangers for the division crown, the Los Angeles Angels in a game 163 tiebreaker, or an opening Wild Card game against the New York Yankees.
The Texas Rangers took care of business against the Angels, winning 9-2 -- ending any chance of the Astros winning the division. But, it did secure the Astros' trip to the playoffs.