'We'll be back': Astros' streak of deep October runs is coming to an end

HOUSTON – The sounds of handshakes and heavy arm hugs fill the otherwise quiet air in Minute Maid Park's home clubhouse. A sense of disbelief and disappointment dominated the scene as Astros players signed jerseys for each other, said some goodbyes — perhaps for good — and began looking forward to 2025.

A season that began with World Series aspirations ended in massive disappointment for the Astros, a perennial power who lost to the Tigers in the American League Wild Card Series, 5-2, in a best-of-three series at 2. series on Wednesday afternoons.

“When we get to the playoffs, you're thinking long-term, you're thinking about winning,” Astros second baseman Jose Altuve said. “We didn't win a single match against the Tigers. We are heartbroken right now. We just have to move forward.”

Led by former Astros manager AJ Hinch, the Tigers rallied for four runs in the eighth inning against Ryan Pressley and closer Josh Hader to snap Houston's AL Championship Series streak. The Astros have lost seven consecutive postseason games at home.

“It's tough,” first-year Astros manager Joe Espada said. “But I want our boys to be proud of how far we've come. As such it was a very challenging season, and we reached the postseason, which is our goal every year. We win the division, and then play deep into the playoffs.”

Reaching the postseason seemed impossible when the Astros started 12-24 and faced a 10-game deficit in the AL West in mid-June, only to rally to win their seventh division title in eight seasons. They did it despite major injuries to the pitching staff, including Justin Verlander, and three months without slugger Kyle Tucker (fractured right shin).

“Of course, you want to win the World Series,” Mauricio Dubon said. “They're a pretty good ball club. They grind. They pitch well. They didn't do much wrong. They were pretty good. It's sad that we had to end this season early, but that's part of baseball.”

In what could be the final home game for veteran third baseman Alex Bregman — who has played 99 playoff games with the organization — Houston could get nothing against Hinch's “pitching chaos,” as the Tigers mixed and matched relief. The pitchers kept the Astros off balance.

The Astros finally rallied in the seventh inning, when they loaded the bases, but could only score two runs on a fielder's choice by John Singleton and a sac fly by Altuve. The inability to get a clutch hit proved costly.

Pressley bounced a wild pitch in the eighth inning, allowing Kerry Carpenter to score from third with the tying run. Pressley was 14-for-14 in save opportunities in his postseason career before blowing the save Wednesday.

The Tigers weren't done. Pressley was pulled with runners on first and second and two outs, and Hader walked the bases loaded for pinch-hitter Andy Ibenez, who ripped a three-run double into the left-field corner to put Detroit ahead.

“You have to give those guys credit,” Espada said. “They've put some good ABs together, and they've been playing pretty good baseball since mid-August. to their credit. They played well and they executed well.”

Hunter Brown was excellent in his first career postseason start, striking out nine batters and allowing two hits and a run — a leadoff homer by Parker Meadows in the sixth inning that came off the right-field foul pole. It was the most strikeouts by an Astros pitcher in his postseason debut since Mike Scott had 14 in Game 1 of the 1986 National League Championship Series.

“I think as everyone saw today, Hunter Brown has turned himself into a Cy Young candidate,” Bregman said. “He's a superstar and will be for a long time.”

Brown was left with no margin for error, though, as the Astros struggled to get anything going against the Tigers for the second straight game. Houston's only run in the first 15 innings of the series came in the ninth inning of Game 1.

“I'm really looking forward to work tomorrow, but I feel blessed to be in this clubhouse and the relationships I've built with some of my teammates, the coaches,” Brown said. “Yeah, it hurt a lot, but I'm really proud of this team.”

The culture the Astros have established means winning the division and making the playoffs is not good enough. Espada reminded the players while speaking to the team after the game. His message?

“I think we'll be fine,” outfielder Chas McCormick said. “Joe gave a speech and said we'll be back in the postseason next year, and I totally agree with him. We have a lot of good players in this clubhouse.”