ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Houston Astros clinched their fifth AL West title in six years, getting a leadoff home run from Jose Altuve in a 4–0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
“It’s been a great start to the season,” third baseman Alex Bregman said. “This is a first step in the right direction for this ballclub. We’ve just got to stay focused and know what a tough task is ahead of us.”
Headed to the postseason for the sixth straight season, Houston won for the eighth time in nine games and improved the AL’s best record to 97–51….