'Winning a division is not easy': Astros clinch fourth AL West crown in five years

The Houston Astros are once again headed to the postseason after clinching the franchise's fourth American League West title in a five-year span.

The Astros postseason berth was the result of defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Sept. 30.

Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. said the Astros' consistent winning over the past five years was not an easy task.

 “Winning a division is not easy,” McCullers said. “I think we have done a great job this year and are looking forward to the postseason.”

According to MLB, McCullers and shortstop Carlos Correa stepped up for the Astros in their victory. McCullers held the Rays, who have the best record in the AL, took a no-hitter in the sixth inning before allowing two runs while Correa, who will become a free agent after the season, hit a three-shot home run that caused Minute Maid Park to erupt with euphoria.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Correa was a clutch player who the team will rely on in the postseason.  

“He’s big-game Carlos to me,” he said. “The guy comes through time and time again. He believes he’s going to come through. I’m hoping there’s a way we can retain and sign Carlos, because he’s a big part of this team, not only on the field but he’s one of the real leaders on this team.”

Houston will now face the Chicago White Sox in the American League Division Series, but still have some work to do to clinch home field advantage. The Astros will have to win one of its remaining home games against the Oakland A’s this weekend.

The last time the White Sox and the Astros met in the postseason was in the 2005 World Series when the club was still in the National League and the White Sox swept that series.

Baker, who was hired in 2020 after the team fired A.J. Hinch amidst the team’s sign stealing fiasco, has become the first MLB skipper to win a division with five different teams, according to KHOU.