Latest news and updates about the Astros
We did this with the starters on Wednesday. We looked at six key numbers that can help us both explain why some pitchers succeed and some fail and hopefully help us predict progression or regression. Reliever numbers in particular are ver volatile. When you condense 180 innings into 50 or 60, you are going to […]
In an interview Thursday March 12, longtime MLB insider Bob Nightengale had some direct statements regarding his thoughts on the 2026 Houston Astros. Thursday, longtime MLB reporter and insider Bob Nightengale joined AREA 45 on Sportsradio 610. He had a lot of thoughts on the state of the Houston Astros heading into the 2026 season. […]
Led by a dominant 3 shutout innings from recently named Opening Day starter Cade Cavalli, the Nats beat the Cardinals 3-1 yesterday to improve to 10-4 on the spring, 2nd second in all of baseball. Cavalli has had as good of a Spring Training as you could hope for, as he has now thrown 9 […]
With the 2026 season opener two weeks away, most of the Astros’ Opening Day 26-man roster is coming into focus. A few spots, however, remain unsettled. After the signing of Christian Vázquez and the announcement that Josh Hader will start the season on the IL, here’s my second pass at how things could shake out: […]
The Law Firm of Brown, Burrows and Imai! We are so Back! The Houston Astros enter the season unlike any other in quite sometime. Astros fans don’t need a reminder of missing the Postseason in 2025. Also with a looming work stoppage and the CBA agreement set to expire Dec of this year. The time […]
The Houston Astros (7-8-3) host the Washington Nationals (10-4-3) in Grapefruit League action. RHP Mike Burrows will make the start for the Astros, opposed by RHP Jake Irvin for the Nationals. TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP Mike Burrows, making his fourth start of the Spring, has been fantastic thus far, tossing 8.2 scoreless with 10 strikeouts, a […]
Tatsuya Imai said a small adjustment has helped him find more velocity this spring: SP Cristian Javier will be away from the team for a few days due to a personal matter: Brian McTaggart of MLB.com identifies 5 players he thinks have a good shot to make the Opening Day roster Lance McCullers Jr. on […]
Hader has missed most of Spring Training with biceps tendinitis. Houston Astros closer Josh Hader will begin the season on IL, according to a report by Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Hader, who missed the last 2 months on the 2025 season with a shoulder capsule strain, experienced biceps tendinitis while rehabbing and was shut down. […]
Apple TV announced its national baseball schedule through the end of June Wednesday, and three Cubs games will be featured on the streaming channel: Friday, April 24: at Dodgers, 9:15 p.m. CT Friday, May 22: vs. Astros at Wrigley Field, 1:20 p.m. CT Friday, June 26: at Brewers, 6:45 p.m. CT Here’s how to watch […]
The Houston Astros (6-8-3) travel to Jupiter, FL to take on the Miami Marlins (6-9-1). RHP Tatsuya Imai will be on the mound for the Astros, opposite RHP Max Meyer for the Marlins. TODAY’S STARTER: RHP Tatsuya Imai is set to make his third start of the Grapefruit League. In his last start on March […]
The Washington Nationals were playing the Marlins in Jupiter yesterday, but that was not where I wanted to be. I learned that the Nats prospects were playing in some backfield games against the Astros prospects. This allowed me to see some players I had never seen before. There were four games going on, two on […]
The O’s are making the 3.5-hour trip across Florida to West Palm Beach this afternoon, taking on the Astros at CACTI Park. Most of the regulars are staying in Sarasota, but the Birds’ lineup today includes four projected Opening Day starters — Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, Samuel Basallo, and Coby Mayo — along with a […]
Things may be progressing well for Astros closer Josh Hader, according to this update from Brian McTaggart: While it should still be considered unlikely Hader would be ready Opening Day, this update does indicate that if Hader has to start the season on IL, he could potentially only miss the minimum required time. Having Hader […]
The Houston Astros (5-8-3) host the Baltimore Orioles (7-8-2) in Grapefruit League play. RHP Lance McCullers Jr. is set to start for the Astros, with RHP Levi Wells starting for the Orioles. TODAY’S STARTER: This is Lance McCullers Jr.’s second appearance of the spring. He previously pitched one shutout inning on Feb 27 vs. the […]
There’s some interesting decisions that have to be made. Where could the Astros be leaning as of today? This article updates my previous roster projection: https://www.crawfishboxes.com/houston-astros-analysis/72007/astros-2026-roster-and-depth-chart-projections-as-of-february-1 Let’s start with the rotation: Now, Arrighetti hasn’t been sharp, and his velocity hasn’t been consistent. He’s also only pitched twice, so there’s time. Weiss went 2.1 IP in […]
At some point, the Houston Astros need to stop overthinking this and simply accept reality. Yordan Alvarez can play left field. And more importantly, if the Astros are serious about maximizing their championship window, they should let him. For years now, the organization has treated Alvarez with extreme caution defensively. The reasoning is obvious: he’s […]
The St. Louis Cardinals will take the field at Roger Dean Stadium today as the Baltimore Orioles roll in for another Spring Training game. It’s a split-squad day as another Cardinals lineup will be playing the Houston Astros. According to MLB.com, Matthew Liberatore will make the start for the Cardinals and the starter for the […]
The Houston Astros (4-8-3) host the St. Louis Cardinals (8-5-1) in Grapefruit League play. RHP Cristian Javier will get the start for the Astros opposite RHP Richard Fitts for the Cardinals. TODAY’S STARTER: RHP Cristian Javier is set to make his second start of the Spring and his first Grapefruit League start this year. He […]
Baseball season is back, and spring training is in full swing. With that, there has been opportunities for prospects to play with the Major League club and show what they can do. While it’s still early, below are a few prospects that have stood out so far in Spring Training. Hitter – Walker Janek Janek was […]
We finally get to the end of the positions on the hitting side of the equation. Keep in mind, we are trying to include all of the relevant candidates to be on the opening day roster. Fans and analysts alike sometimes forget the dimension of time. In other words, what the roster looks like on […]
As we hit the midpoint of Spring Training, here are some new developments and comments from Joe Espada on the current state of the Astros: SS Jeremy Pena is fielding grounders, but not throwing yet: RHP Jason Alexander has been optioned to minor league camp. CL Josh Hader will throw a bullpen soon. 2B Brice […]
The Houston Astros (4-7-3) take on the Washington Nationals (7-4-3) in Grapefruit League play. RHP Hunter Brown is set to make his third start of the Spring, with LHP Andrew Alvarez starting for the Nationals. BROTHER BROWN: RHP Hunter Brown, who is making his third start this Spring, established himself as one of the top […]
For much of the offseason, Carson Benge has seemingly been guaranteed a starting spot in the outfield somewhere. It looked like it might be center field when the Mets were pursuing Kyle Tucker. Then it looked like it was going to be a corner (first left, then right) once Luis Robert was acquired. Sure MJ […]
As Patrick so ably reported to you yesterday, the Houston Astros have agreed to a minor league contract with Christian Vazquez with an invitation to Spring Training. Fortunately, he has been working out with team Puerto Rico, so he will not be coming in completely cold and presumably could reasonably build up enough plate appearances […]
Houston brings back a member of it’s 2022 World Series Champion team to back up Yainer Diaz. The Houston Astros finally addressed their backup catcher situation today, bringing back catcher Christian Vazquez on a minor league deal. Vazquez was a member of the Astros’ 2022 World Championship team, acquired at the deadline to boost catcher […]