IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) The MLB postseason race is heating up, and the Houston Astros are getting some unexpected help from a pitcher who has quickly become one of their most reliable options.

The Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays clash in an NCAA College Football weekend baseball matchup as MVP candidates Yordan Alvarez and Junior Caminero duel.

Taking a look at the Houston Astros injury report ahead of the series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon.

The Tampa Bay Rays are close to becoming the first team to clinch a spot in the MLB playoffs.

Yordan Alvarez's power numbers have sagged recently but he's still in the Triple Crown race trying to become just the second player to lead the league in average, home runs and RBIs since 1967.

With the Houston Astros getting ready for the playoffs , there is no denying that their upcoming offseason looks interesting, with the search for a new general manager, the statuses of a few players,

While they could bring him back, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter is predicting they will find a new name for their center field spot. Instead, the Astros are predicted to take a flier on Luis Robert Jr., the former Gold Glove, 37-homer All-Star.

The Astros once again piled up runs against the Phillies but Houston's pitching staff couldn't make it hold up as Philadelphia got to starter Hunter Brown and the bullpen.