Improbable, a second chance, turnaround and a long time coming. Those four words and/or short phrases are apt descriptions for the four teams in play when the two American League Division Series begin on Thursday.
The Houston Astros have made an improbable run to the ALDS. They were 51-111 two seasons ago, 70-92 last season. Now, after an 86-76 season and a wild-card win over the New York Yankees on Tuesday, the Astros are in the ALDS for the first time ever (they were long members of the NL) and in the playoffs for the first time since 2005.