Houston Astros Open Wild Card Series to Sparse Crowd at Daikin Park
The Houston Astros, the first division winner with a .500 or worse record, opened their Wild Card Series against the Chicago White Sox at Daikin Park to a sparse crowd with many seats empty.
Terre Haute, IN, September 29, 2026 —
The Houston Astros commenced their postseason play in the Wild Card Series against the Chicago White Sox before a noticeably sparse crowd at Daikin Park. This marks a significant moment for the Astros, as they are the first team in Major League Baseball history to clinch a division title with a .500 or worse regular-season record and proceed to the playoffs.
Despite the historic nature of their qualification, the stands at Daikin Park appeared to have a significant number of empty seats as the series began. The attendance figures were not immediately available, but visual observation indicated a lower-than-expected turnout for a playoff game, particularly one involving a team making such a unique entry into the postseason.
The Astros’ path to the Wild Card Series was unconventional, securing their division title with a record that typically does not guarantee a playoff berth. This season’s outcome has drawn attention to the structure of league standings and playoff qualifications.
The series features the Astros facing off against the Chicago White Sox. The location, Daikin Park, is noted as the venue for the opening games of this crucial series. Further details regarding the specific attendance count or any official statements from the league or teams concerning the crowd size were not provided in the initial report. The outcome of the games and the ongoing attendance trends will likely be a point of observation as the series progresses.
Story summarized from the original created by KRISTIE RIEKEN, Associated Press on www.mywabashvalley.com, see more information here.
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