TODAY'S GAME:The first-place Houston Astros (65-65), who own a slim 1.0-game lead in the AL West over the Rangers, will play a rubber game with the A's (50-80) today in what is the finale of their nine-game homestand.
Both clubs named today's starters following last night's game, with RHP Cristian Javier(1-4, 6.44 ERA) starting for the Astros opposite an opener in LHP Brady Basso(0-0, 3.91) and a bulk reliever in RHP Jack Perkins(2-9, 6.96 ERA).
EL REPTÍL: RHP Cristian Javier is making his eighth start of the season and his fifth since returning from the IL in early July. He's split time between being a starter and reliever since his return, making four relief appearances and four starts. Since returning from the IL, he has a 4.33 ERA (13ER/27IP) with 26 strikeouts in 27.0 IP.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 45-34 since May 22, which is the second-best record in the AL in that span. On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
THAT'S OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank first in slugging (.410), first in total bases (1790), third in home runs (171), third in runs scored (590), and fourth in OPS (.727). In the Majors, the Astros rank fourth in homers, trailing only the Nationals (183), Yankees (177) and White Sox (173).
PLAYERS' WEEKEND: Today is the final day of MLB Players' Weekend, which provides players the opportunity to showcase the people, passions and causes that make them who they are. After originally taking place from 2017-19 and then re-imagined in 2024, this sixth edition of Players' Weekend brings personal stories and self-expression to life through custom bats and cleats, and a wide breadth of storytelling across MLB platforms.
THE DOG DAYS: Today at Daikin Park, the Astros will hold their second straight Dog Day. Like last night, the first 500 dogs to enter the park will receive an exclusive Astros Dog Toy. There will also be fun activities for dogs to participate in and will be dog-related vendors in attendance in Hall of Fame Alley.
ROAD WARRIORS: After today's game, the Astros will embark on a week-long jaunt to New York to take on the Yankees (3g) and Mets (3g). Houston has gone 25-16 (.610) on their last five road trips and are 31-22 (.585) on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the season. Houston is 32-31 overall on the road in 2026.
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarezholds the lead in all AL Triple Crown categories, ranking first in average (.319), first in HR (36) and first in RBI (90). Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.047), OBP (.433), SLG (.614), and TB (283). In the AL, he ranks first in XBH (64), second in hits (147), walks (88), and runs (85), and tied for fourth in doubles (28)..
GOOD INTENTIONS: DH Yordan Alvarez has been intentionally walked 25 times this season, by far the most in the Majors. Alvarez's 25 intentional walks are the second-highest total in a single season by an Astros player in club history, trailing only the 27 intentional walks to 1B Jeff Bagwell in 1997.
HIT PAREDES: Prior to last night, 3B Isaac Paredes had gone 11 straight games without a strikeout, taking 45 plate appearances in those contests. Despite the strikeout, Paredes has hit safely in 10 of his last 14 games (since Aug. 7), while batting .346 (18×52) with five doubles, one home run, eight RBI, and a .914 OPS in that span.
AUGUST HEROES: 2B Jose Altuveis having a strong month, hitting .317 (20×63) with a .380 OBP and an .809 OPS in 18 games this month. Also, RF Cam Smithis hitting .276 (16×58) with four homers, 10 RBI and an .824 OPS in 18 games in August.
THE CLOSER: LHP Josh Haderhas made 500 career appearances and is one of 12 active pitchers to reach that milestone. Hader has been stellar since returning from injury in June, going 4-1 with a 0.87 ERA (3ER/31IP), 41 strikeouts, a .123 opponent average (13×106) and a 0.77 WHIP, while converting all 18 of his save chances in 32 appearances.
MY BOY BLU!: RHP A.J. Blubaughhas taken a huge Major League lead in innings pitched as a reliever with 79.1, far ahead of second-place LHP Aaron Ashby(69.2IP) and LHP Brent Suter(69.2IP). The Astros have not had a reliever lead the MLB in innings since RHP Doug Jones(111.2IP) in 1992.
VS. THE A'S:This is the third of four series between the Astros and A's this season, with Houston going 4-4 in their eight games. After this series, the two clubs will match up for a four-game series in Sacramento to end the regular season from Sept. 24-27.
DOWN ON THE FARM:Several of the Astros minor league clubs are having success this season:
• Triple A Sugar Land: In the second half, the Space Cowboys (34-16) are in first in the PCL East Division.
• Class A Fayetteville: For the second half, the Woodpeckers are in first place in the South Atlantic League North Division with a 30-20 (.600) record.
• Rookie Level FCL Astros: The Astros won the Florida Complex League championship, finishing with a 42-11 (.792) record in the regular season.
• Rookie Level DSL Astros: The DSL Astros Orange finished with a 33-20 record and advanced to the DSL playoffs, going 1-1 so far in their current three-game series vs. the DSL Padres.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1992 – The Astros defeat the Phillies, 3-1, to complete their record-long, 26-game road trip with a three-game sweep at Veterans Stadium. The long trip was the result of the Republican National Convention being held in the Astrodome. They ended the trip with a 12-14 record.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, August 23, 1:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio:KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; ESPN Radio (National); TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
