The Astros’ wild-card squad confirms this playoff run is Houston’s last dance

We are witnessing the end of an era in real time.

Over the past seven years, there has been no more dominant postseason presence than the Houston Astros. With two World Series wins since 2017 and plenty of October baseball in between, this Astros squad will go down in history. However, as we watch Houston take on the Detroit Tigers in the AL Wild Card round this week, it might feel a little strange.

For one thing, Dusty Baker isn’t in the dugout. Joe Espada has done a commendable job filling vacant spots, but Houston is the No. 3 seed and not their normal juggernaut self, and it’s quite another to watch Dusty Baker patrol the bench and call a play . It’s not the same.

You may also notice a noticeable absence from the Astros’ Wild Card roster. Justin Verlander, who appeared in both 2017 and 2022 World Series runs, is not in Houston’s postseason rotation. That may change as the Astros advance, but the 41-year-old former ace has fallen by the wayside this season. His 5.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP simply aren’t indicative of an arm Houston can trust, especially with so much talent at the top of the pitching staff.

After two World Series rings and a historic career that has yielded three Cy Young awards, Verlander watched Game 1 from the dugout as Houston lost 3-1 after a dominant day behind the Tigers- Fireball player Tarik Skubal had behind him.

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It’s hard to make up the 0-1 deficit in a three-game series. Without Skubal, Houston is more than capable of turning this series around, but the Tigers have plenty of momentum based on their late-season success. The Astros, on the other hand, are an older group facing unpleasant changes. The trend definitely favors Detroit.

Of course, this “last dance” for Houston is about more than just Baker and Verlander. We’re probably watching the end of Alex Bregman’s Astros career. The talented third baseman is set for a lucrative free agency contract and recent rumors suggest Bregman will find a new home. The Astros have already spent a lot of money and Kyle Tucker’s next contract is just around the corner. Houston shouldn’t cut costs, but that has never stopped a wealthy ownership group from charging their club in the past.

With Bregman likely on his way out after nine years and multiple successful postseason runs with the Astros, it’s hard to imagine what 2025 might look (and feel) in H-Town. There will be many familiar faces, but it won’t be the same core that fought through thick and thin, love and hate, to reach this very moment.

Bregman went 4-2 in Tuesday’s loss, providing plenty of offense for a Houston team that has otherwise struggled in that regard. There’s still plenty of time for the Astros to get back into this series and put together another impressive October campaign – only an idiot would rule them out – but with their backs against the wall, the ‘Stros are certainly vulnerable. This is not a situation we are used to from Houston’s baseball team.