The Houston Astros’ margin for error is getting smaller. On Friday evening at Globe Life Field, they lost 7-3 to the Texas Rangers and slipped to three games under.500, leaving them 1.5 games back in the Wild Card race.
It was the latest setback in a difficult stretch for the Astros, who have now lost five of their eight games this month and are on a two-game skid. In a crowded race, those are the kind of numbers that can quickly change the pressure on a club.
Hunter Brown could not stop the slide
Hunter Brown started for the Astros and allowed three runs against the Rangers and the Astros could not recover. The game was part of a rivalry series between division opponents, and the home side did enough to keep Houston chasing throughout the night.
For Houston, the bigger concern is that this was not an isolated problem. The Astros have been trying to hold their place in the thick of the Wild Card race, but results like this leave little room to breathe.
Houston still have to answer quickly
The schedule does not allow much time for reflection. On Saturday, the Astros planned to use Yordan Alvarez in left field and Peter Lambert as the starting pitcher against Kumar Rocker.
That gives Houston an immediate chance to respond, but the context is clear. A loss to the Rangers has left the Astros in a tougher spot, and they now need a stronger run to stop the standings from tightening further.
In May, Peter Lambert allowed three hits in six innings against the Rangers at Daikin Park and allowed five earned runs. Whether Houston can get a better result this time will matter not just for the series, but for the shape of their season in the American League Wild Card race.
