After running roughshod through the American League for seven years, the Houston Astros’ dominance has run its course in 2025.
Following the Cleveland Guardians’ 3-2 walk-off defeat of the Texas Rangers at Progressive Field, the Astros’ fate was sealed, ensuring they cannot make the postseason regardless of how the club fares this weekend in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels.
Prior to this season, Houston had made every playoffs since 2017, winning two World Series (2017 and 2022) and clinching four American League pennants (2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022).
Houston Astros eliminated from postseason contention for the first time since 2016
The Astros have been public enemy No. 1 for nearly every AL contender since their ascendance, especially in their tense October clashes with the New York Yankees, of which there have been several over the last decade. The Yankees were arguably robbed of an AL pennant in 2017 due to Houston’s sign-stealing scandal and were defeated again in 2019 prior to reaching the World Series, for example.
But all of that is history now, as New York will once again ride into October, while Houston watches from home.