Kansas City Royals: Postseason Picture Update

AL West leader

Houston Astros

Overall record (through Sunday): 71-40

Last week: 3-4

This week: Off Monday; at Chicago White Sox (Tue.-Thu.); at Texas Rangers (Fri.-Sun.)

The Astros have long been a playoff lock. That’s why it was surprising to many that they didn’t do more at the trade deadline.

Seen as the American League’s most likely World Series representative, Houston has a commanding 15-game lead over Seattle in the West Division.

It would take a collapse of epic proportions for the Astros to not win their division. Heck, it would be stunning if they didn’t land home-field advantage straight through to the World Series (and in the World Series, if the Dodgers aren’t in it).

Injuries have done their best to try to derail this outstanding team.

Ace Dallas Keuchel missed a large chunk of the season. Carlos Correa and George Springer are currently on the disabled list. Young third baseman Colin Moran even suffered one of the strangest injuries of the season when he fouled a ball into his face.

So far the Astros have been able to weather the storm. A .500 record (11-11) in the second half of the season should be boosted with the imminent return of Springer and, eventually, Correa.

Next: Why Kennedy Might Opt Out

When healthy, this team is the biggest threat to keeping the World Series trophy out of Chavez Ravine.