The Houston Astros clinched their fifth American League West Division title in the past six seasons tonight, following their 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
This marks the 11th division title and 16th playoff berth overall in Astros franchise history. In addition to now winning the AL West five times (2017-19, 2021-22), the Astros have also won the NL West twice (1980, 1986) and the NL Central four times (1997-99, 2001). Additionally, Houston has made the postseason as a Wild Card on four occasions (2004-05, 2015, 2020) and also qualified for the postseason in the strike-shortened 1981 season after finishing with the best record in the NL West in the second half of that season. This year marks the Astros 16th time in franchise history to qualify for the postseason.
The Astros have also now made the postseason in six consecutive seasons (2017-22) for the first time in franchise history.
WINNING WAYS: With 97 wins currently in 2022, the Astros have won more games than any other AL club since 2017, with a combined record of 531-324 (.621) over that span. Houston has also advanced to the ALCS in each of the past five seasons, becoming just the second AL club to accomplish this feat, joining the 1971-75 Athletics. The Astros 73 postseason games played since 2017 are the most in the Majors and their 42 postseason wins in that span are also the most in MLB. Astros manager Dusty Baker, who’s the first manager in MLB history to win division titles with five different clubs (Astros, Nationals, Reds, Cubs, Giants), has now won nine division titles in his managerial career and has guides his club to 12 postseason appearances overall.