The Astros leave the Labor Day weekend with a two-and-a-half game lead over the Athletics for the AL West lead. In contrast to one calendar year ago when Houston ran away with it, the division is still up for grabs. At this point though, both teams will qualify for the postseason based on the current Wild Card standings. The critical difference is the one-game playoff that is known as the Wild Card. Both Houston and Oakland would obviously prefer to advance to the ALDS outright rather than play a one-game playoff.
To finish out the season, the Astros strength of remaining schedule is tied for the fourth-lowest in baseball by opponent winning percentage of .