Considering the season-long pursuit of the American League West title between Houston and Seattle, the Mariners' 2-0 road victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday felt appropriate.

The Astros (84-69) will host the Mariners (84-69) for a three-game series starting on Friday with first place in the division on the line. Now tied thanks to Seattle's win in Kansas City, the teams have split the first 10 games of the season series, meaning the winner of the upcoming set will not only enter the final week of the regular season in first place, they will also hold the tiebreaker should the clubs close the season tied.

The Astros have won the division in each of the last seven full seasons. They are accustomed to the chase and everything that comes with it.

"It brings the best out of a te

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