ARLINGTON, Texas -- The final week of the season isn't without its usefulness for the Houston Astros. The American League West champions must settle on a pitching staff and bench with the playoffs on tap.

After two more games against the Texas Rangers, there is the issue of facing Boston in the final series of the regular season before a probable matchup with the Red Sox in the AL Division Series. How the Astros approach the series that starts Thursday at Fenway Park could be interesting.

"Exposing guys to different matchups and things like that is a little tricky, but you can overthink that, too," Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. "You really just need to play the games and compete and let whatever happens happen and not get too caught up in that stuff. We'll address how we're going to attack the Boston series as we get closer to it."