*Houston Astros Team Report*
----------------------------

By winning the NL Wild Card for the first time in franchise
history, the Astros clinched a playoff berth for the eighth time
in franchise history. The Astros will face the Atlanta Braves
in the NL Division Series beginning Wednesday at Turner Field.
The Astros are 0-2 in playoff series' against the Braves and are
looking for their first-ever postseason series win. ... The
Astros closed out the regular season by winning their final 18
games at Minute Maid Park. The streak is the longest in the
majors in 10 years. The Cleveland Indians won 18 in a row at
Jacobs Field from May 13 June 19, 1994. ... The Astros also won
their last seven games overall in the regular season, equaling
the franchise record for the best finish to close out the
regular season. Houston won seven straight games to close out
the 1970 season from Sept. 23  Oct. 1. ... The Astros have
finished first or second in the NL Central Division in 10 of the
last 11 years dating back to the 1994 season. Houston finished
in fourth place in 2000, their first season at Minute Maid Park.
... RP Brad Lidge, who picked up his 29th save in the 5-3 win
over Colorado on Sunday, set a National League record for
strikeouts in a season by a reliever with 157. He struck out all
four batters he faced on Sunday.

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