Yordan Alvarez Calls Team Meeting After Loss Leaves Astros Behind in Playoff Race

Yordan Alvarez voiced his frustration after a difficult weekend, as the Houston Astros were swept by the Atlanta Braves and fell one game behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West standings, with only six games left in the season. The star slugger confirmed to reporters that after Sunday’s 4-2 loss he called a team meeting to discuss the state of things and expectations for the final stretch of the season.

As Bleacher Report reports, Alvarez, 29, has delivered a strong personal season, batting .313 with 40 home runs, 99 RBIs, 98 runs scored and a 1.027 OPS. Although he is seen as a strong contender for the American League MVP award, the significance of that honor would diminish if the Astros — who have lost 10 of their last 14 games — fail to qualify for the playoffs. The team still has two games against the Seattle Mariners and four against the Oakland Athletics to try to salvage the season, while the Rangers finish with three games against the New York Mets and three against the Minnesota Twins.

With only a few games remaining and pressure mounting, every matchup takes on decisive weight for the Astros’ season fate; Bleacher Report notes this is the moment that will decide whether individual efforts serve a postseason qualification or fall short of the goal.