Astros clinch playoff berth on historic 100th win

The Houston Astros are headed to the postseason for the third straight campaign and fourth time in five years after beating the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

The Astros are the first to reach the 100-win plateau this year and became the sixth club in MLB history to win 100 games in three consecutive seasons, joining an exclusive group of dynasties:

Somewhat remarkably, the stretch of dominance began four years after a dismal time in the franchise's history, when the Astros lost 100 games for three straight seasons from 2011-13. At the time, they were just the second team since the 1980s to do so, joining the 2004-06 Kansas City Royals.

"If you like winning, 100 three years in a row is a lot," Houston manager A.J. Hinch said, according to The Associated Press. "I love it for this team and for this organization. It's a big accomplishment. It's one step along the way for us and what we're trying to accomplish this season. I don't want that to be the high note by any means."

Houston has not yet clinched the division, as the Oakland Athletics remain eight games behind the AL West incumbents with nine games remaining for each club.

The Astros reached their 100th win on the heels of another dominant showing from Gerrit Cole, who notched his 300th strikeout of the season in his 18th victory of the year.

Houston is now the third team in baseball and first in the American League to clinch a playoff berth, joining the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers.