Joe Espada On Astros Overcoming Season Woes, One Game Away From Clinching Division: 'That's Success'

The Matt Thomas Show

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" following the Astros' 6-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Monday. Hunter Brown allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight over six innings. Jason Heyward scored the Astros only run with a solo home run during the eighth inning. "They threw the ball really, really well," Espada said. The Astros, who are one win away against the Mariners to clinching their seventh American League West title in the past eight seasons, are already getting a taste of the postseason following a tight, three-game series against the San Diego Padres last week. "It's that time of the year...we're close, we're there." The Astros have overcome numerous injuries and being down 10 games in the division earlier in the season to now being on the doorstep of another playoff birth. "That's success right there." Framber Valdez will take the mound in the second of a three-game series against the Mariners as the Astros look to celebrate a division crown. "We need another one of those good starts tonight." Espada also gives an update on Yordan Alvarez, who has been out with a sprained right knee, and praises the growth of Yainer Diaz and Jeremy Pena.