HOUSTON ASTROS NEWS

MLB wrap: March 31

Philadelphia started the Bryce Harper-era off on the right note.

Alexis Mansanarez

Astros appear to avoid catastrophe after Jose Altuve struck by batted ball in BP

Jose Altuve was hit by a line drive off the bat of Yuli Gurriel during batting practice Saturday, but he appears to be OK.

Thomas Lott

MLB wrap: Charlie Morton, Rays shut down Astros' potent lineup in emotional win

Charlie Morton made his first appearance against his former team, the Astros, with whom he won a World Series in 2017.

Thomas Lott

MLB wrap: Chris Sale, Blake Snell give fan bases something to worry about

It's just one start, so let's not go nuts, but there are legitimate warning signs for at least one of these pitchers.

Thomas Lott

MLB Opening Day 2019: Scores, results, highlights from every game

Sporting News tracked all the action from Opening Day for the 2019 MLB season. Catch up on the scores and highlights with our updates from Thursday's games.

Jacob Janower

MLB Opening Day 2019: Schedule for all 30 teams

Every MLB team will be playing on Opening Day in 2019 for a second straight year. Here is everything to know about the unofficial national holiday for baseball fans, including first pitch times and TV information for all 30 clubs.

Jacob Janower

AL West guide for 2019: Biggest strength, weakness and question for each team

The AL West is the Astros' division to lose, but there are questions to ponder about every team heading into the season.

Jacob Janower

Big changes to MLB rosters, trade deadline, All-Star voting to be announced, report says

Separate from those changes, players and owners will begin negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement more than two years before the agreement is set to expire.

Tom Gatto

Eloy Jimenez's move back to Triple-A draws scorn from Astros' Collin McHugh

Even one of Eloy Jimenez's future opponents is upset that the outfielder won't make the club out of spring training.

Tom Gatto

MLB hot stove: Top five remaining free agents who aren't Harper or Machado

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just a couple of weeks, yet some of baseball's best talents — not named Harper or Machado — remain without a team.

Thomas Schlarp

J.T. Realmuto trade rumors: The five best fits for the Marlins' star catcher

The Marlins may be inching towards the goal line in J.T. Realmuto trade talks. Here are five contenders for the catcher's services.

Jacob Janower

Should the defensive shift be banned? Not so fast, say MLB managers at winter meetings

A majority of the skippers, not surprisingly, want to keep something that gives them an advantage during games.

Ryan Fagan

George H.W. Bush remembered for connection to sports, especially in Houston

The late 41st U.S. president took a keen interest in the Astros and Texas A&M.

Tom Gatto

Blue Jays trade Aledmys Diaz to the Astros for prospect Trent Thornton

Toronto moved on from Aledmys Diaz after one season and acquired 25-year-old Trent Thornton.

Conor Roche

Red Sox vs. Astros results: Boston takes ALCS Game 5, advances to World Series

The Red Sox won the AL pennant on Thursday night with a win over the over the Astros in Houston.

Sporting News

Five interesting details from the strange Astros-Red Sox cheating debacle

It seems like much ado about nothing, but Houston has found itself in this situation in the past. Here are five interesting details surrounding the situation.

Joe Rivera

Red Sox radio voice Joe Castiglione falls out of chair calling Andrew Benintendi's game-saving catch

It was a play that quite literally made the play-by-play man fall out of his chair.

Joe Rivera

Astros' A.J. Hinch says fan interference call not the difference in ALCS Game 4 loss to Red Sox

A controversial ruling goes against the Astros early in Game 4, but Houston's manager says it didn't cost his team the game.

Dan Bernstein

Tony Kemp's catch becomes debate topic in Astros-Red Sox ALCS Game 3

The Houston outfielder used his entire 5-6 frame to pull down a drive by Boston's Steve Pearce. Did Kemp get help from the scoreboard behind him? Well . . .

Tom Gatto

Game 1 slog a sign nothing is certain in Astros-Red Sox ALCS

Houston and Boston were expected to start their playoff series with a classic pitchers' duel. The game was a tedious, mistake-filled marathon instead.

Sean Deveney

MLB postseason 2018: Red Sox making another big bet on David Price

David Price still has the confidence of Boston manager Alex Cora, who is giving the left-hander another opportunity to have success as a starter in the postseason.

Sean Deveney

MLB postseason 2018: Three keys to the Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS matchup

Sporting News breaks down three keys to the ALCS between the Astros and Red Sox.

Drew Nantais

MLB postseason 2018: Ranking all eight playoff teams by their chances of winning the World Series

Ranking how each playoff team's chances at a title stack up to each other.

Ryan Fagan

Astros vs. Indians results: Astros showcase power, take ALDS Game 1 from Indians in Houston

The Astros began their quest of defending their 2017 World Series title with a 7-2 win over the Indians at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Drew Nantais

MLB postseason 2018: Sporting News staff playoff predictions, picks

SN's staff makes its predictions for the 2018 MLB postseason.

Joe Rivera

Best player value for each MLB playoff club

SN analyzes 10 players, one from each team, whose cost per WAR made them highly valuable in 2018.

Christopher Carelli

MLB standings: Magic numbers, playoff picture as of Sept. 28

Keep track of the MLB postseason races all in one spot.

Drew Nantais

AL Cy Young race: Sale, Snell, Verlander lead deep list of candidates with very different resumes

The arms race in the American League isn't short of talent, and the leaders of the pack have

Ryan Fagan

Gibbons wins final home game as Blue Jays manager, receives several ovations

John Gibbons was on the receiving end of several ovations from Blue Jays fans in his final home game in charge of the club.

Rudi Schuller

Former Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna's assault case remanded to Sept. 19

Roberto Osuna's domestic assault case has been stretched out another two weeks as he prepares to return to Toronto with the Astros.

Mark Suleymanov

Shohei Ohtani injury update: Angels rookie to rejoin rotation Sunday night in Houston

The LA right-hander showed he was healthy enough to resume pitching after missing almost three months with an elbow ligament sprain.

Tom Gatto

WATCH: Carlos Correa foul ball bounces to fiancee Daniella Rodriguez

Now, that's true love: The Astros' star shortstop gave his bride-to-be a surprise present: a baseball (or is that bae-ball?).

Tom Gatto

MLB trade deadline winners, losers: Dodgers, Pirates, Yankees make good first impressions

It takes years to accurately gauge moves, but there can still be initial observations. That's our basis for examining trades made during the two weeks leading to the 2018 non-waiver deadline.

Ryan Fagan

MLB trade news: Breaking down who the Blue Jays got, moved in Roberto Osuna deal

The Blue Jays received someone who has already closed at the Major League level and two prospects for troubled closer Roberto Osuna.

Jenn Smith

Astros demote Ken Giles to Triple-A a day after apparent tiff with manager A.J. Hinch

Ken Giles is going to have to learn to watch his words in Fresno.

Joe Rivera

Astros' Alex Bregman helps author one of baseball's most bizarre endings

Heads-up play by Houston's All-Star third baseman leads to a game-ending error by the A's.

Tom Gatto

Blue Jays debutant Ryan Borucki pitches six strong innings in loss to Astros

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Borucki showed why he's considered the organization's top left-handed prospect with a creditable performance in a 7-0 loss on Tuesday.

Rudi Schuller

MLB Power Rankings: Diamondbacks, Cleveland jump; Astros earn top spot

June was a fortunate month for many teams, which lends itself to new rankings. Here's how they shake out through June 24.

Ryan Fagan

Gerrit Cole 'not terribly disappointed' about brother-in-law Brandon Crawford taking him deep

Cole, a big part of the Astros' dominant rotation, said he wasn't thrilled that Crawford homered off him for the first time, but the right-hander could feel better knowing he got the win.

Tom Gatto

Trevor Bauer brings online joke to life with jersey 'modification'

Trevor Bauer decided to use the Indians' series against the Astros to continue a joke about his name.

Gabe Fernandez

MLB Power Rankings: Yankees, Red Sox, Astros vie for top spot; Dodgers fall out of top 10

The Dodgers and Nationals are scuffling, which means there's no room in the top 10 for either. Meanwhile, it's top-heavy in the top three spots.

Ryan Fagan

Trevor Bauer sure sounds like he's accusing the Astros of doctoring baseballs

The Cleveland starter found himself in the middle of (another) Twitter controversy on Tuesday, this time dragging the Astros into a bit of a conspiracy theory.

Joe Rivera

The philosophy behind Gerrit Cole's hot start for Astros: 'It's OK to miss'

Gerrit Cole was already good. Since being traded to the Astros in January, he's found a way to be even better.

Jared Wyllys

Justin Verlander responds to heckler with makeshift sign

Justin Verlander surprised heckles with a sign that said "No, you suck."

Gabe Fernandez

Rich Dauer throws first pitch at Astros' home opener months after almost dying

Rich Dauer almost died last November after collapsing at the Astros' World Series victory rally. Five months later, he walked to the mound at Minute Maid Park, filled with emotion.

Tom Gatto

Chris Sale struck by line drive, leaves spring training start with hip contusion

Chris Sale's opening day start for the Red Sox might be in jeopardy.

Gabe Fernandez

To Jose Altuve and the Astros: I'm sorry I assumed the worst

I assumed Jose Altuve's relative lack of happy expressions at the White House celebration this week meant something. I was wrong, and I’m sorry I jumped to that conclusion.

Jason Foster

Jose Altuve stares blankly, steals show as Astros visit Trump

The AL MVP looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.

Jason Foster

Predicting surprise: Young players who could shine for Nationals, Astros in 2018

The Nationals and Astros both made the postseason in 2017, but they finished in very different ways. These two teams already have the core roster elements necessary to make return trips, but they will also have to ride the success of the likes of Wilmer Difo and Chris Devenski, who both stepped into larger roles in 2017 and hope to keep those this year.

Jared Wyllys

MLB trade rumors: Chris Archer leads list of 'high-end' starters Astros should pursue

The Astros have plenty of options to make their rotation even better.

Ryan Fagan

Astros GM Jeff Luhnow knew Jose Altuve would be good, but never expected this

The Astros were bullish on Jose Altuve when they signed him to an extension in 2013. Four years later, it's turned out to be quite the bargain.

Gary Phillips

Astros' World Series win brings special joy to Houston's Hall of Famers

When the Astros ride through the streets of Houston during their championship parade Friday, expect Craig Biggio to beam.

Ryan Fagan

World Series 2017: Astros fans find a little bit of Texas in Dodger Stadium

There was a Lone Star vibe to Section 32 at Dodger Stadium during Game 7 of the World Series. Houston supporters made it their home away from home as they rooted their hometown team to victory.

Ryan Fagan

World Series 2017: George Springer gives recovering Houston five more reasons to cheer

George Springer is the only player in baseball history to homer in four consecutive World Series games in the same season.

Ryan Fagan

World Series 2017: Houston Astros defeat Los Angeles Dodgers for first title

Sporting News provided updates throughout Astros-Dodgers World Series Game 7 in Los Angeles.

Tom Gatto

World Series 2017: 'Game 7' always brings thoughts of magic, nostalgia and greatness

This 2017 World Series has had a bit of everything — heroes, goats and redemption stories — and we should all be incredibly excited to watch the conclusion.

Ryan Fagan

Former Blue Jays lefty Liriano nails his World Series debut

Francisco Liriano struck out Cody Bellinger in a key spot in Game Six of the World Series Tuesday.

Jim Cerny

World Series 2017: Joc Pederson has been Dodgers' consistent hero

In 16 World Series plate appearances, Joc Pederson has five hits — two doubles and three homers — and two walks. If the Dodgers win Game 7, Pederson has a good argument as series MVP.

Sarah Wexler

World Series Game 6: Dodgers edge Astros, force deciding Game 7

SN provided live updates from Game 6 of the World Series between the Astros and Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Tom Gatto

World Series Game 7: Expect anything as topsy-turvy Fall Classic wraps

Houston and LA played a Game 6 that was a polar opposite of their Game 5 from two nights earlier, right down to the way many of the principals performed. There's one more opportunity for the poles to shift again.

Ryan Fagan

World Series Game 6: The Astros' first baseman is now Boo-li Gurriel

Yuliesky Gurriel is getting no sympathy from Dodgers fans after he made a "slant eyes" gesture and uttered a racial slur in Spanish to describe Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish.

Tom Gatto

World Series 2017: Kenley Jansen has a big fan in the great Mariano Rivera

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen took the loss in an epic Game 5. We asked another closer — the best closer in history — about overcoming playoff hiccups.

Ryan Fagan

World Series 2017: Ghost of Game 5 will haunt Dodgers or Astros without a championship

No matter the outcome in Games 6 or 7, it will likely be Game 5 that becomes a standalone moniker associated with euphoria or heartache in Houston and Los Angeles. For now, though, we just don’t know which city will wear which emotion.

Jason Foster

World Series 2017: Dodgers, Astros making case for best Fall Classic ever

All the ingredients for all-time greatness are there. It’s up to the Astros and Dodgers to complete the recipe.

Jason Foster

World Series Game 5 trounces NFL's 'Sunday Night Football' in overnight TV ratings

In another bad sign for the NFL, Game 5 of the World Series on Fox easily bested the overnight TV ratings for NBC's "Sunday Night Football" matchup between the Steelers and Lions.

Michael McCarthy

World Series 2017: Astros' Game 5 euphoria tinged with empathy: 'That's a crazy game to lose'

They earned this victory. They earned the right to celebrate, to wade into the river of joy and swim in its waters. They earned the right to be selfish for a moment. And yet, empathy existed.

Ryan Fagan

Dodgers vs. Astros results: Houston wins wild, wacky, memorable Game 5

The Dodgers and the Astros kicked off an unofficial best-of-three finale for the 2017 World Series on Sunday night — and it turned into a game for the ages.

Joe Rivera

World Series 2017: Clayton Kershaw isn't Dodgers' savior — just right guy for Game 5

The Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw on the mound in Game 5, with a chance to move within one victory of their first World Series championship since 1988.

Ryan Fagan

Dodgers vs. Astros results: Los Angeles wins World Series Game 4 after offense explodes

Los Angeles offense wakes up to even the World Series at two games apiece.

Joe Rivera

World Series 2017: For Cody Bellinger, secret to success lies in his hands

Cody Bellinger's breakthrough in World Series Game 4 was all about making adjustments, which starts with his hands — and lots of video.

Ryan Fagan

Dodgers vs. Astros results: Brad Peacock shows out in Astros' Game 3 victory

Astros reliever Brad Peacock came up huge as the Astros kept the Dodgers' bats at bay for a big-time Game 3 victory.

Joe Rivera

World Series 2017: Astros' Yuli Gurriel appears to mock Yu Darvish after home run

Yuli Gurriel appeared to mock the Japanese pitcher with a slant-eye gesture following his first-inning home run in Friday's Game 3.

Brandon Schlager

World Series 2017: Astros in unfamiliar territory in trek to abolish playoff heartbreak

The Astros played a near-perfect game on Friday night's World Series Game 3, and it leaves them in uncharted waters due to their spotty playoff history.

Ryan Fagan

Jose Altuve voted Sporting News 2017 MLB Player of the Year

Jose Altuve is the fifth player in history to win the SN Player of the Year award in consecutive seasons. In retrospect, maybe we should have seen this coming.

Ryan Fagan

World Series 2017: Astros made the Dodgers' bullpen blink in Game 2

Houston’s bats did something no one else has really managed to so far this postseason: get to the Dodgers' bullpen.

Sarah Wexler

World Series 2017: Score, highlights of Astros' 11-inning win over Dodgers in Game 2

Sporting News provided live updates and highlights of Game 2 between Houston and Los Angeles.

Tom Gatto

World Series 2017: Keuchel plays fun police, ignores Correa offense; Puig voice of reason?

Dallas Keuchel has no use for an opponent enjoying a World Series home run. He also has no use for consistency.

Tom Gatto

World Series 2017: Clayton Kershaw delivers signature performance on baseball's biggest stage

Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball, and in Game 1 against the Astros he pitched like we’ve become accustomed to seeing Clayton Kershaw pitch over the past decade.

Ryan Fagan

World Series 2017: Score, highlights of Dodgers' Game 1 win over Astros in LA

Sporting News provided live updates of World Series Game 1 between the Astros and Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Tom Gatto

World Series 2017: Chris Taylor, Justin Turner continue to power Dodgers

When Chris Taylor and Justin Turner were named NLCS co-MVPs, it was something of a victory lap for the Dodgers' front office.

Sarah Wexler

World Series 2017: Ranking all 50 Dodgers, Astros players from worst to Altuve

With World Series rosters finalized, let's rank all 50 Astros and Dodgers players in this year's Fall Classic.

Ryan Fagan

World Series 2017: Astros or Dodgers? Sporting News experts make their picks

See who our baseball experts pick to win the 2017 World Series.

Sporting News

World Series 2017: Dodgers hold clear edge in battle of bullpens

So far in the playoffs, the Dodgers' bullpen is responsible for just three earned runs in 28 2/3 innings pitched.

Sarah Wexler

World Series: Five things to watch as Astros and Dodgers play for title

There are quite a few angles, narratives and storylines to watch as the World Series gets underway Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

Ian Hunter

Dodgers' Cody Bellinger wins Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year

Anyone who says they saw Cody Bellinger's 2017 season coming is probably not being truthful. Because it's hard to imagine that anyone had that kind of prescience.

Jason Foster

Take the quiz: World Series teams since 2000

Nineteen major league franchises have made the Fall Classic since 2000. How many of them can you name in two minutes or less?

Tom Gatto

World Series: Dodgers use 'If it ain't broke' logic with rotation

LA manager Dave Roberts is sticking with the four starters who helped pitch his team to the Fall Classic, led by Clayton Kershaw.

Tom Gatto

World Series: May the Dodgers and Astros make us party like it's 1962-2012

The Astros and Dodgers were in the same league for five decades, and in the same division for more than 40 years. So, yeah, they've already got some history.

Jason Foster

Astros' duo of Morton & McCullers dominate, deliver World Series berth for Houston

Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers know exactly what a Game 7 win — and a World Series appearance — means for the city of Houston.

Ryan Fagan

Yankees vs. Astros results: McCullers, Morton shine as Houston advances to World Series

Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers Jr. combined to silence the Yankee bats in a masterful Game 7.

Joe Rivera

MLB playoffs: Astros pound Yankees to force Game 7 in ALCS

The Yankees and Astros will play one more time to see who goes to the World Series.

Jason Foster

MLB playoffs: Yankees and Astros took different paths to ALCS

The Astros expected to be where they are now. The Yankees did not.

Gary Phillips

MLB playoffs: Tommy Kahnle has ended Yankees’ multi-inning concerns this October

Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle has put together a brilliant postseason, throwing 10 scoreless innings over six appearances.

Gary Phillips

MLB playoffs: Tanaka propels Yankees to ALCS Game 5 victory over Astros, 3-2 series lead

Sporting News provided live updates throughout New York's 5-0 victory over Houston on Wednesday.

E.Jay Zarett

MLB playoffs: Yankees’ starters have become driving force when it matters most

It’s usually the New York bullpen that gets all the praise in the Bronx, but the starters have earned their way into the postseason spotlight.

Gary Phillips

MLB playoffs: Yankees, one win from World Series, hope to break ALCS trend in Houston

The job's not done yet, and the Yankees know they face a tough task in finishing out the ALCS in Houston. But they have some ideas on how to do it.

Joe Rivera

A Hiro on two continents: Tanaka’s big-game success dates to high school

Some are surprised by Masahiro Tanaka's recent big-game success after such a messy regular season. But one could argue that those folks just haven’t paid attention.

Gary Phillips

MLB playoffs: The Yankees almost beat themselves, but beat the Astros instead

It's a recurring theme for the 2017 Yankees: Take a haymaker, and get back up. Their ALCS Game 4 win was more of the same.

Joe Rivera

MLB playoffs: Astros confident Keuchel, Verlander can stop Yankees' ALCS surge

The Astros are coming off two crushing losses in the Bronx, but they don’t seem concerned.

Gary Phillips

MLB playoffs: Yankees storm back to beat Astros in ALCS Game 4, tie series 2-2

The Yankees got a huge come-from-behind win against the Astros in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.

Jason Foster

CC being CC: Yankees’ Sabathia has tapped into his old self during playoffs

It’s not clear whether CC Sabathia will don pinstripes again in 2018, but for now he’s just seizing the moment.

Gary Phillips

MLB playoffs: Yankees crush Astros in ALCS Game 3, trail series 2-1

The Yankees got back in to the ALCS with a convincing win in Game 3.

Jason Foster

MLB playoffs: Todd Frazier newest Yankees 3B to earn postseason pinstripes

While not a longtime Yankee, Todd Frazier is right there with other Bronx Bombers third basemen who've created iconic postseason moments for the franchise.

Joe Rivera

MLB playoffs: Aaron Judge gets his moments in Yankees’ ALCS Game 3 win

Despite Aaron Judge's struggles in the playoffs, manager Joe Girardi never budged in his opinion of his massive right fielder.

Gary Phillips

MLB playoffs: Yankees must contain the seemingly unstoppable Jose Altuve

New York, already down two games to none, must do what appears to be the impossible if it wishes to advance to the World Series. It must attempt to stop the fading of the daylight and contain Jose Altuve.

Nick Stellini

Yankees vs. Astros results: Dallas Keuchel, Houston stifle New York bats in ALCS Game 1 win

Will Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius and the Yankees steal one from Dallas Keuchel, Carlos Correa and the Astros in Houston?

Joe Rivera

MLB playoffs: Astros can advance to ALCS on anniversary of Chris Burke's walk-off blast

The Astros are a win away from advancing to the ALCS, and they could clinch their spot on the anniversary of one of the team's greatest moments.

Jason Foster

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