Part 8/12:
Across the AL West, the narrative has shifted dramatically. Entering the weekend, the series between the Mariners and Astros was tied for the division lead. The Astros have been a dominant force since 2016, but this season has been tumultuous, marred by injuries and underperformance. Despite their pedigree, they currently trail the Mariners by three games, after the Mariners swept the series, leading for 26 of 27 innings.