Astros eliminated from postseason as Guardians clinch final AL berth

The Houston Astros were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention Saturday night, ending an eight-year run of consecutive playoff appearances, after the Cleveland Guardians completed a walk-off win over the Texas Rangers that clinched the final American League berth. Houston, playing in Anaheim, had won its game against the Los Angeles Angels but could not control its fate once results elsewhere fell in against them.

Cleveland secured a 3-2 victory in the bottom of the ninth when Guardians outfielder C.J. Kayfus was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, producing the decisive run. Detroit also won its game, leaving the Tigers and Guardians a game ahead of Houston with tiebreakers in hand and rendering Houston’s remaining contests irrelevant to postseason qualification.

The elimination marks the Astros’ first absence from the playoffs since 2016, ending a run that included seven straight appearances in the American League Championship Series and two World Series titles. The team entered the season with high expectations, but it lost ground during the second half and was unable to recover despite late efforts.

Injuries played a major role in Houston’s season. Key...