The Latest Breaking News from Astros

HOUSTON — Much as they did for most of this season of ups and downs, the Rays rebounded from the disappointment of the previous night to win their way into the playoffs Friday, beating the Astros, 7-3.

Tampa Bay is back in the postseason as a wild card team.

NEW YORK — The Yankees locked up the playoffs a while ago. They are locked into the second seed in the American League and the first-round bye that comes with it. They can’t overtake the Astros for home-field advantage in these final seven games. And Aaron Judge is still sitting…

WASHINGTON – At this point, the National League East has the most exciting division race in baseball. As the division hangs in the balance, the Braves and Mets have a crucial three-game series at Truist Park this weekend.

BALTIMORE — Rougned Odor came up clutch twice Sunday, producing when the Orioles most needed him. But when a laser left his bat in the eighth inning, he took three slow steps out of the box, watching the flight of the ball before breaking into a run.

BALTIMORE — There won’t be any second-guessing the pitch selection. Félix Bautista, who has been a stout closer for the Orioles this season, was one strike away from sealing a fourth victory for Baltimore. With Kyle Tucker at the plate, Bautista hurled his splitter — a pitch that ranks among…

BALTIMORE — Adley Rutschman did something he never had in the majors Friday night. A 2-1 curveball from Dean Kremer got by the Orioles’ standout rookie catcher, the first passed ball of Rutschman’s career. He entered the game with the Houston Astros with the second-most innings caught without one this…

BALTIMORE — When Kyle Bradish last faced the Houston Astros, he delivered eight scoreless innings amid the most impressive stretch the Orioles have received from their rotation this season.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — At least the Rays put up a fight this time.

The Braves won the 2021 World Series. They’ve since gotten better. Sometimes it happens, though not often. It has happened twice over the past 20 years. The Phillies won the 2008 World Series; the next year, they improved by one win. The Astros won the 2017 Series; the next year,…

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Time will tell which loss on Tuesday night was greater for the Rays.