Astros pursue postseason berth with critical remaining games

The Houston Astros, currently at 78-79, are vying for a postseason spot with five games left in the regular season. They can secure the AL West title if they match or surpass the Texas Rangers' performance, as they hold the tiebreaker. The Astros face the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland Athletics, while the Rangers take on the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins. If they fail to win the division, the Astros also chase the final AL Wild Card spot, currently held by the Chicago White Sox, from whom they trail by three games. To qualify, the Astros must win as many games as possible and need the White Sox to lose at least three more games than them.

• 12:05 PMYahoo Sports — What Astros must do to make the postseason? All scenarios for an October berth explained