Previewing the Astros remaining 2026 schedule including vital stretch to start September

With less than six weeks to go in the MLB season, the Houston Astros hold the top spot in the AL West (as of August 20). They haven't been able to take a commanding lead in the division despite the other four teams being below .500. After losing two of three to the Angels, they'll stay at home to take on the last-place Athletics, but after that is when life gets tough.

Houston gets a travel day on Monday as they head to New York. They get three games in the Bronx followed by three in Queens as they'll take on the Yankees and then the Mets to end August. Then they come home for back-to-back home series, first the White Sox and then the Diamondbacks.

Then another Monday travel day sends the Astros to a three-game set in Philly, then they head south to take on the Rays in Tampa. Another travel day sets up two more series at home. First they get the Royals, and then the Braves come to town. It's one final Monday travel day as Houston heads north to Seattle for two against the Mariners, before they finish with four in Sacramento against the A's.

There will be little time for rest in the Astros final month-plus of the season

The next three weeks will be a real challenge for a team that has struggled to stay strong together and string together series wins. The Yankees are still in the division race and fighting to keep the top wild card spot. The Mets are out of the playoff picture, but have won 11 of their last 15 games. The White Sox are fighting to keep hold of first place in the AL Central, and the Diamondbacks are the first team out of the NL Wildcard spots.

The Astros then have to travel to the Phillies, who are also fighting to keep their spot in the NL Wildcard and have gotten hot. Then it's off to Tampa, who are the top team in the American League this season. That stretch of six series is going to define the Astros' season. If they can play .500 or better, the playoff spot will be theirs, but if they struggle, they will almost certainly be on the outside looking in.

After that gauntlet, they get a small reprieve with the 5th-worst team in MLB, the Royals, at home, but it's right back to form with the top-of-the-NL East Braves. They get the Mariners for two in Seattle, who they are 2-9 against this season, and then an easy, but important, end, with four in Sacramento.

It's the 19th-hardest remaining strength of schedule in baseball, but that's being weighed down by two series against the A's and the series against the Royals. Luckily for them, the Rangers have the 13th-hardest remaining strength of schedule, but the Mariners have the 29th-hardest.

The Astros lost their chance to pull a lead in the division when they couldn't capitalize on a stretch that included the Giants, Mariners, and Angels. Now, they'll have to be on their A-game night in and night out.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow