The Houston Astros have endured an unusually inconsistent 2026 MLB season, but remain firmly in playoff contention as the final week of the regular season continues.
Houston enters Wednesday’s matchup with the Seattle Mariners at 78-79, tied for first place in the American League West with the Texas Rangers. Although the Astros have lost seven of their last ten games and remain below .500, they still find themselves fighting for a division title with just five games to go.
No player has done more to keep the Astros in the playoff race than Yordan Alvarez. After a 2025 season that was plagued by injuries, Alvarez has bounced back in 2026, putting together the best regular season of his career.
Sep 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) runs to first base on a double during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The four-time All-Star is slashing .314/.431/.601, adding 41 home runs and 102 RBIs through 153 games. His 1.033 OPS is the best in baseball this season, and he is tied with Junior Caminero for the most home runs in the American League.
Alvarez has continued to come through while the Astros fight for the division lead. Tuesday against the Mariners, he homered and drove in three runs in a 7-0 victory that helped the Astros pull back into a tie in the division with the Rangers.
For Alvarez, his combination of production, power, and respect from opposing managers has placed him in rare historical company.
According to Francys Romero, Alvarez is “now just the 5th player in MLB with 40+ HR, 100+ RBI and 30+ intentional walks in a single season before turning 30.”
The only other players to accomplish the feat are Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Barry Bonds and Kevin Mitchell. Pujols was the most recent, doing so during the 2009 season with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Joining this elite company shines a light on just how dominant Alvarez’s season has been, and how crucial he has been in keeping the team’s season alive.
Still fighting for the AL West crown, the Astros will need Alvarez to maintain his MVP-caliber production if the team hopes to secure a postseason spot and make a run in October.
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