The Houston Astros closed out the season with a 9-0 shutout of the Athletics, claiming the division title. They fought hard and made the playoffs, but the postseason ended much earlier than they wanted. Yordan Alvarez's postgame interview about the overall season came down to this: There were some good memories, but it was a frustrating season.

Alvarez gave an honest interview that boiled down to this: Yes, they made it to the playoffs, but it didn't last long. They have some things they need to improve, but they really just need to win more. It must be especially frustrating for a player like Alvarez, an MVP favorite and Hank Aaron Award finalist.

It has been an up-and-down season for the Astros, but Yordan Alvarez was clutch all season long. After missing significant time last year, he sat out just four games this season, playing in 158. He was in the running for the AL Triple Crown, and for a stretch it even looked like he could chase down the full MLB version, not just the American League. But a few players closing hard down the stretch, plus a minor ankle issue, made the gap too much to close in the end. The slugger will have to settle for the batting title.

Alvarez came close, but Orioles slugger Pete Alonso beat him out in home runs and RBIs in the American League. Alonso finished the season with 43 home runs and 113 RBIs, becoming the first player in MLB history to win an RBI title in both leagues, after previously leading the National League with the Mets. Alvarez was close behind with 42 home runs and 106 RBIs. Nothing to be ashamed of there, but not enough to snag the Triple Crown. He did, however, finish the season leading all of Major League Baseball with a .316 batting average, becoming just the third Astro ever to win a batting title, joining Jose Altuve and Yuli Gurriel.

Yordan Alvarez might not have claimed the Triple Crown, but he had an outstanding season with the stats to prove it, and a batting title. Here is a look at his 2026 regular season stats.

His .316 average is 16 points above his career mark, and he won the AL batting title with it.
His 42 homers and 106 RBI were second in the AL, just one homer behind Alonso.
His 1.033 OPS is nearly 60 points above his career OPS.

When it came to Alvarez’s thoughts on the Wild Card series, he expressed that the Chicago White Sox did well on the mound and they just played better than the Astros.

Overall, an outstanding season, and he is a favorite to win the 2026 American League MVP award.

Video source: Yordan Alvarez postgame interview, MLB and full interview Tufanatico

Astros Season Came to a Frustrating End but Yordan Alvarez Was Remarkable

Yordan Alvarez won the batting title, but the Astros' early postseason exit left the slugger frustrated.

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