Latest power rankings highlight Astros chance to seize 'wide-open' AL West

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After missing the postseason last year, the Houston Astros came into the 2026 season looking to make it back. However, things are harder than many fans would have imagined.

It's been a season full of ups and downs, but the club is right in the thick of things in the division. Thanks largely to Yordan Alvarez and what he has done with the bat in his hands this season, they are only three games under .500.

They are also only two games behind the American League West-leading Texas Rangers, so things could certainly be a lot worse.

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Latest power rankings highlight Astros chance to seize 'wide-open' AL West

Houston's record could have been a lot worse if not for what they did last week. Stacked up against the Miami Marlins in a three-game series to start the week, they were able to get the sweep.

Then they took on the Chicago White Sox, who have been playing well this year. But Houston was able to win that series as well, taking two of the three games, making for a 5-1 week.

With this, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter bumps the team up a few spots from No. 22 to No. 17 in his latest power rankings.

"The Astros continue to do just enough to hang around in the gray area between buyer and seller, as they won five in a row last week and are just two games back in the AL West standings. A big three-game series with the Texas Rangers at home awaits this weekend as they look to seize control of a wide-open division race."

As Reuter mentions, they have a big opportunity to take some games away from the division leaders over the weekend, but not before they take on the Los Angeles Angels starting on Monday.

A good week, and things could completely change for the Astros.