Overview

• Houston was knocked out on the penultimate day after wins by the Tigers and Guardians clinched the final American League berths.
• The miss is the franchise’s first since 2016, closing a run that ranked as the fourth-longest postseason streak in MLB history.
• A seven-game AL West lead on July 6 dissolved with losses in six of seven down the stretch, including a three-game sweep by the Mariners.
• A season-long injury toll sapped the roster, with Yordan Álvarez, Josh Hader, Jeremy Peña, Luis García and Lance McCullers Jr. among key absences.
• The offseason brings questions about rotation depth and roster direction, with Valdez poised to reach the open market and other decisions pending.