With the calendar turning to September, the burning question in Astros fans hearts and minds is “if” they’ll be returning to the postseason. After all, it’s been an agonizing 23 months since the playoff loss to the Tigers.
September is a magical time. For this author, nothing compares to Mike Scott’s no-hitter at the Dome on September 25, 1986 against the Giants. Scott’s 13 K performance, the roar of the crowd, many of which refused to head to the exits long after the contest was etched in stone,
is cemented in my sports fandom. Clinching the division that day for just the second time in franchise history, and to do it at home was extra special.
Five years earlier, Nolan Ryan’s fifth no hitter also took place at the Dome. Ironically, Dusty Baker struck out on three straight pitches to end the one-sided affair. With the win, Ryan passed Sandy Koufax’s record of four no-no’s.
1999 saw the Killer B’s era culminate with a third straight NL Central title. That particular September, they’d win 19 games.
Of course, the 2019 Astros took a back seat to no one. They’d win 107 games and the final month of the regular season started off with a bang. After laboring through the first inning, tossing 21 pitches, Justin Verlander would settle in and throw his third career no hitter. That would propel Houston to a dominant month from start to finish.
In terms of saving the best for last, Vanessa Williams would be proud. Jeff Bagwell would wait until September 30th of the 2000 campaign to launch his 47th. The blast would come off of Brewers pitcher Everett Stull. Fun fact, Stull would win only 2 games in his brief MLB career.
There have been monumental surprises in September as well. Who can forget the unthinkable three game sweep in 2023 to the lowly Royals, who would drop a whopping 102 games that year? There was also forgotten hero Jason Heyward who stepped in for Yordan Alvarez in securing a division title two seasons ago. Heyward would not only hit a go-ahead homer against Seattle, but he’d also make some stellar defensive plays throughout their run.
For the current batch of Astros, the road to the playoffs is a variety snack pack in the grocery store aisle. On one hand, they’ll face some of the elite, such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves. The Phillies and White Sox are also marching towards the playoffs. On the flipside, they’ll face the Royals and A’s, who will be hovering around 100 losses by the time they close the books on the regular season. Then of course are the dreaded Mariners, who on the 22nd and 23rd of this month will host us for a mini two game series. Seattle has won 9 out of 11 meetings head-to-head thus far.
Will the magical moment come from Josh Hader on the final day? Will it come in dramatic fashion from Yordan Alvarez as he continues his chase for baseball’s triple crown? One thing is for certain, fasten your seatbelts, it’s sure to be a wild ride.
