Houston Astros task of winning AL West more difficult after Yordan Alvarez injury

The Houston Astros defeated the Texas Rangers 6-3 on Monday night, but it came at a major cost. Superstar outfielder Yordan Alvarez exited the game in the first inning after he sprained his ankle while crossing home plate.

The Astros have an 82-69 record this season and are 0.5 games back of the Seattle Mariners for first place in the American League West division. With Alvarez potentially being sidelined a while with an ankle injury, what are the chances Houston does not win the division for the first time since the 2016 MLB season?

MLB Insider Believes the Houston Astros Road to the American League West title Will Be Tougher Without Yordan Alvarez

There are not many games left in the 2025 MLB regular season. The American League West title is within reach once again for the Astros and they are most likely going to have to do it with Alvarez sidelined.

Tim Britton, Chad Jennings, and Levi Weaver of the Athletic made their latest MLB power rankings. They have the Astros at number 11 in the power rankings. Britton said about the Astros possibility of winning the division with Alvarez potentially sidelined,

"The last 162-game season when the Astros didn’t win the AL West? Rick Porcello won a Cy Young, Michael Fulmer was the AL’s Rookie of the Year, and Jeremy Peña was just starting his sophomore year at the University of Maine. It’s been a while since 2016, you know? Like your favorite prestige television show, this Astros’ season will be defined and remembered by what happens in its penultimate week. Houston hosts the Rangers and Mariners. Win those series — though that is a much taller task after left fielder Yordan Alvarez exited Monday’s game with a left ankle sprain — and that season-ending road trip through West Sacramento and Anaheim should include a champagne celebration."

In 48 games played for Houston during the 2025 MLB season, he has a .273 batting average with six home runs and 27 RBIs, along with one stolen base and one caught stolen base. His on-base percentage is .367. Even though Alvarez has not played much this season, he provides a major boost to this lineup.

Houston will have two more games left against the Rangers. After the Rangers series, the Astros will play the Mariners for a three-game series starting on Friday night. The Houston and Seattle series will most likely decide the American League West champion. 

At the moment, the Astros are sixth in the American League standings, and they lead Texas by three games in the wild card standings. Houston should not be in danger of missing the playoffs even without having Alvarez potentially for the long-term. The only thing the Astros will have to be worried about is if they will win the division this season or not. 

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