Astros are in three-team fight for AL West. Who has easiest, hardest remaining strength of schedule?

The Houston Astros enter Wednesday with a slim lead in the American League West, but with the Texas Rangers just a half-game back and the Seattle Mariners hanging around at 2 ½ out, there’s still plenty to be decided.

With just 30 games remaining for the Astros, now would be the time to start comparing schedules between the three contenders, a definition they technically meet even if none of them entered the day with a winning record. Yet, considering the Astros just went 2-4 at home against the Angels and Athletics, the two worst teams in the American League, then won at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night, perhaps the opponent doesn’t actually matter.

Still, neither the Astros or Ranger have much of a scheduling advantage over each other. The Rangers, who have 29 games left, have the 10th-hardest schedule remaining, with its remaining opponents combining for a .511 winning percentage. The Astros have the 13th-hardest schedule with a combined .506 winning percentage for their remaining opponents.

Where strength of schedule could come into play though is the Mariners. They have the easiest schedule left, especially in the final month, when 17 of their final 22 games are against the Angels, Athletics and Rockies, the three worst teams in baseball.

If the race comes down to the final week, the Astros play what could be a pivotal two-game series in Seattle before finishing with four games in Sacramento against the Athletics. The Mariners close with four home games against the Angels, while the Rangers finish with three at Minnesota, which is currently three games out of a wild-card spot.

Here’s a look at each AL West contender’s remaining schedule (games remaining against, opponent’s winning percentage) …

Houston Astros (66-66)

Remaining strength of schedule: .506
Home: White Sox (4, .523), Diamondbacks (3, .526), Royals (3, .444), Braves (3, .583)
Road: Yankees (2, .565), Mets (3, .455), Phillies (3, .549), Rays (3, .591), Mariners (2, .481), Athletics (4, .391)

Texas Rangers (66-67)

Remaining strength of schedule: .511
Home:Athletics (3, .391), Rays (4, .591), Red Sox (3, .553), Blue Jays (3, .481), Mets (3, .455)
Road: White Sox (1, .523), Brewers (3, .614), Mariners (3, .481), Diamondbacks (3, .526), Twins (3, .481)

Mariners (64-69)

Remaining strength of schedule:.440
Home: Phillies (1, .549), Athletics (4, .391), Rangers (3, .496); Astros (2, .500), Angels (4, .391)
Road: Blue Jays (3, .481), Red Sox (3, .553), Athletics (3, .391), Angels (3, .391), Rockies (3, .386)

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This article originally published at Astros are in three-team fight for AL West. Who has easiest, hardest remaining strength of schedule?.