With slim playoff hopes still alive entering Tuesday night, the Houston Astros scored four runs on 10 hits off Seattle ace Logan Gilbert, and five pitchers combined to shutout the Mariners in a 7-0 loss.

Alvarez is one of the Astros' leaders by example, but he delivered a "personal" message after the Braves swept Houston on Sunday.

Once firmly atop the AL West, the Houston Astros have slipped of late with a 3-7 record in their last 10 while getting swept by the Atlanta Braves.Now, the Astros are a game back of the Texas Rangers for the division lead,

Houston has lost seven of its last nine games and trails the Rangers by one game entering the final week of the season.

Houston Astros slugger, Yordan Alvarez could become Major League Baseball's first Triple Crown winner since 2012. The last was Detroit Tigers slugger, Miguel Cabrera.

Along with Alvarez, Houston has a solid lineup with Jose Altuve, Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith, and Christian Walker to protect the slugger. The core of the group has also proven they can win and know what it takes to win in October, which also makes them a scary team to play.

The Houston Astros made a notable lineup announcement involving slugger Yordan Alvarez before series finale against the Rays.

Friday marked just the third time Yordan Alvarez has been absent from the starting lineup in 148 games although he has started 123 of those at DH.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada didn't mince words on how important Yordan Alvarez is to his club down the stretch in the playoff race.