Houston surged in the AL playoff race by taking the opener and building a three‑game cushion with 11 to play for the final spot, but Yordan Alvarez’s ankle setback adds a fresh hurdle. Houston trails 6-5 in the season series and must sweep to force a tiebreaker. A.J. Blubaugh will start for the Astros against Merrill Kelly as J.P. France nears a comeback, underscoring how depth and bullpen timing will shape the final stretch for fantasy managers tracking Alvarez, Houston’s offense and rotation health.