The Houston Astros were once 10 games back from the division lead but managed to clinch the AL West and return to the postseason for the ninth time in the past 10 seasons. However, hopes of returning to the ALCS for the eighth consecutive year vanished following back-to-back home losses to the Detroit Tigers in the AL Wild Card Series. Hunter Brown started in Wednesday's 5-2 defeat, giving up only one run after six innings. Bryan Abreu was able to hold the Astros' 2-1 lead in the seventh, but things unraveled in the eighth when Ryan Pressly and Josh Hader took the mound. The Astros offense was unable to rally, securing the win for the Tigers. "At the end of the day, they just didn't hit," Brian McTaggart, Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, said. With the conclusion of the regular season, the focus shifts to the offseason, where the Astros will look to upgrade a flawed lineup. "This team has a lot of things on their checklist this offseason." The biggest question mark is placed on third base, as Alex Bregman is set to become an unrestricted free agent and could leave Houston for a more desirable contract. "He means so much to the clubhouse." The Astros have a history of not paying the market and thus not extending homegrown players, such as Carlos Correa and George Springer, so general manager Dana Brown might have to find a third baseman to fill the shoes of the two-time All-Star. While Bregman's future will be the main headline for weeks to come, McTaggart also adds that the Astros should address other positions, such as first base and the bullpen.