3 Astros who are playing their way off 2026 postseason roster right now

We don't want to count our chickens before they hatch. The Houston Astros are somehow in the thick of the playoff race, though it remains to be seen if they can hold on and take the AL West crown, a la 2024, or if they'll suffer the same fate they did last season, with them bitterly on the outside looking in come October.

The club is always going to be hoping for the best, and as we march towards September, it's time to start thinking about the playoff roster. There are plenty of guys who have been underwhelming this season, but in many cases the Astros don't have viable alternatives.

In the instances where Houston does have sufficient depth to get to the playoffs this year, there are slumping players who are on the 26-man roster, but they might not be there come October.

Three Astros players in danger of not making the playoff roster if trends hold

Taylor Trammell

Taylor Trammell had what seemed like a breakout in spring training, though he ultimately got caught in a numbers crunch and didn't make the Opening Day roster. He wasn't down in Sugar Land for long, though, and was called up on April 10. From that point, through May 31, he hit .314/.375/.412. However, things fizzled once June rolled around, and the 29-year-old has hit .172/.270/.366.

In August, things have gotten even worse for the journeyman. He misjudged a fly ball and rounded the bases with his home run trot on what really was just a deep flyout. That would be embarrassing enough, but this month he has hit just .130/.245/.304. With LaMonte Wade doing a lot of the same things and other outfield options, it's hard to see the Astros bringing Trammell into October.

Cristian Javier

Trying to predict Houston's playoff rotation is a tall task. Hunter Brown is a lock, but he's been struggling of late. Peter Lambert has been the Astros most consistent starter, but after getting demolished at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels, it's fair to wonder if he's hitting a wall after logging more inning than he has in a season since 2018.

The unit is full of question marks, but no one is more questionable than right-hander Cristian Javier. Javier has struggled with injuries in recent years including Tommy John surgery and then right shoulder strain earlier this year. When healthy, he's posted a ghastly 6.44 ERA and is allowing 1.73 HR/9.

Over three August starts, he's been even worse with the long ball, serving up 2.40 dingers per nine innings and posting a 5.40 ERA. He simply can't be trusted to keep the ball in the yard, which isn't conducive to October success.

Raynel Delgado

The Astros just called up Raynel Delgado, and have used him sparingly as an extra infielder when needed. That already puts him in a tenuous position, and he's a virtual lock to be left off the roster.

Houston really only needs one utility infielder on the playoff roster, and while Nick Allen is limited offensively, he's experienced and a superior defender. Compared to a rookie like Delgado, Allen is the much safer choice. If Carlos Correa is actually able to make a comeback this year, it will be the nail in the coffin for Delgado.

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