The Houston Astros "know what it takes to make that run to the World Series." With seven consecutive American League Championship Series appearances and two World Series titles, it is evident the Astros are familiar with postseason baseball, and after a competitive road series against the San Diego Padres, it seems as though the leaders in the AL West got an early taste of what to expect this October. Brian Bogusevic, former Astros outfielder and Space City Home Network analyst, joins Next Up following Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Padres, dropping the three-game series. Framber Valdez gave up five hits, one of which was a homer to Manny Machado, in seven innings, walking two batters and striking out six. However, the Padres pulled away in the eighth after back-to-back-to-back homers off Kaleb Ort. The Padres are currently chasing the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the NL West. "It definitely felt like they were in playoff mode," Bogusevic said. The Astros will host the Los Angeles Angels for a four-game series in an attempt to clinch the AL West title. "You want to go into the playoffs playing well." With the Astros already five games ahead of the Mariners in the division, could manager Joe Espada begin to rest players before the opening round of the postseason? "You should be able to win games while simultaneously getting guys ready for two weeks from now."
Lend a Helping Can raises money for 12 New England charitable agencies to feed the Needy and Homeless.