Baseball: Houston Astros

Tuesday's game features the Minnesota Twins (87-75) and the Houston Astros (90-72) clashing at Target Field in what is expected to be a competitive matchup, with a projected 5-3 win for the Twins according to our computer prediction. First pitch is at 4:07 PM ET on October 10. The Twins will give the nod to Sonny Gray (8-8, 2.79 ERA) against the…

Monday's contest between the Houston Astros (82-62) and the Oakland Athletics (44-99) at Minute Maid Park has a projected final score of 6-3 based on our computer prediction, with a favored Astros squad securing the victory. First pitch is at 8:10 PM ET on September 11. This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Astros will send Framber Valdez…

Monday's game that pits the Houston Astros (90-72) against the Texas Rangers (90-72) at Minute Maid Park is expected to be a tight matchup based on our computer prediction, which projects a final score of 5-4 in favor of the Astros. First pitch is at 4:37 PM ET on October 16. The Astros will look to Framber Valdez (12-11, 3.45 ERA) versus the…

Saturday's contest that pits the Houston Astros (85-69) versus the Kansas City Royals (52-102) at Minute Maid Park has a projected final score of 5-4 (based on our computer prediction) in favor of the Astros, who is a slight favorite in this matchup according to our model. First pitch is at 7:10 PM on September 23. This contest's pitching matchup…

The Houston Astros' rumor mill has been very quiet this offseason so far. Other than the drama surrounding Dusty Baker's retirement and the subsequent search for his replacement, there has been little in the way of news regarding free agent or trade chatter with Houston beyond some wishful thinking regarding trading for Dylan Cease. Some of this is…

Monday's contest between the Houston Astros (90-72) and Texas Rangers (90-72) matching up at Minute Maid Park has a projected final score of 5-4 (based on our computer prediction) in favor of the Astros, so it should be a competitive matchup. The game will begin at 4:37 PM ET on October 16. The Astros will give the nod to Framber Valdez (12-11,…

Tuesday's contest between the Minnesota Twins (87-75) and the Houston Astros (90-72) at Target Field has a good chance to be a competitive matchup, as our computer prediction projects a final score of 5-3, with the Twins securing the victory. First pitch is at 4:07 PM ET on October 10. The probable pitchers are Sonny Gray (8-8, 2.79 ERA) for the…

Coming off yet another ALCS appearance, the Houston Astros appear to be in really strong shape heading into 2024. Their lineup is mostly set to return intact and, in theory, they should be getting guys like Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia back from injury at some point next season. However, they are also running out of time to continue to make…

The Houston Astros don't have to make any contract option decisions early in the offseason on their end, but one contract option that has gotten a lot of attention has been Hector Neris' player option for 2024. Neris' option was converted into a player option this season per the terms of his deal with the Astros and at $8.5 million, it would have…

With the Trea Turner plays being 8-0 so far through eight Phillies playoff games here on Best Bets, it's mildly depressing to run through these on days when the Phillies don't play, but we'll make do. We hit the Rangers' team total over in the first inning of Game 2 in this series, anyway, so we'll be looking to keep that going. The playoff record…

The highlight of left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr.'s follow-up season to his All-Star campaign was only separated from his year's nadir by less than a week. Hampered by something nebulous during his first 11 starts of the year and cursed with a sudden inability to fight through a lineup multiple times, Cortes Jr. finally hit the injured list with a…

After having a 2-0 lead on the series, the Texas Rangers have lost two straight and are now in a best-of-three showdown with the Houston Astros in the ALCS. Thankfully, Jordan Montgomery takes the mound for Texas tonight. He's been fantastic in the postseason and if he has another stellar start tonight, the Rangers can take command of the series.…

Vegas odds for the next Astros manager have Buck Showalter at+700, tied for second-best odds. Hiring Showalter would be at best be a lateral move from Dusty Baker and at worst a step back. The New York Mets just assembled a super team and imploded under Showalter's watch in half a season. When the Astros re-acquired JV, Verlander was very open…

After bowing out of the MLB playoffs, the Houston Astros' attention will turn from the postseason to the offseason. Houston has built quite the roster over the years, but each year the team has to weather their free agent losses. Last winter, the Astros lost Justin Verlander to free agency only to have his return during a trade this past…

Houston sports icon Mattress Mack, otherwise known as Jim McIngvale, is known for his absurd sports bets which he often places on his favorite team, the Astros. Mack has even thrown out the first pitch at an Astros game, and is a timeless figure in the Houston area. I am not here to ruin Mack's good time, but when he places a wild sports bet and it…

The starters for Game 4 of the ALCS went at it in Game 1. And it was a compelling edition of Texas hold'em. The Rangers' Jordan Montgomery scattered five harmless hits over 6 ¹/₃ scoreless innings and the bullpen was spotless the rest of the way. The Astros' Justin Verlander gave up six hits over 6 ²/₃, but one of the six was a two-run Leody…

The Astros pulled closer to the Rangers in the ALCS on Wednesday night, winning 8-5, but can Texas get back on track with a quick turnaround to go up 3-1? Texas will turn to starting pitcher Andrew Heaney in Game 4 on Thursday night in hopes of grabbing a win. Meanwhile, the Astros offense came alive at Globe Life Field in Game 3, but will need to…

The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros face off on Monday in Game 2 of their ALCS series at Minute Maid Park. Let's break down this game and give out a free prediction. The Rangers know no matter what happens in this game, they will go back home with home-field advantage, but they shouldn't be happy with that. The pitching was dominant in the first…