2020 Houston Astros season

Last updated

2020  Houston Astros
American League West 2nd Place
Houston Astros cap logo.svg
League American League
Division West
Ballpark Minute Maid Park
City Houston, Texas
Record29–31 (.483)
Divisional place2nd
OwnersJim Crane
General managers James Click
Managers Dusty Baker
Television AT&T SportsNet Southwest
(Todd Kalas, Geoff Blum)
Radio KTRH 740 Weekday Night Games Sportstalk 790
Houston Astros Radio Network
(Robert Ford, Steve Sparks, Geoff Blum)
KLAT (Spanish)
(Francisco Romero, Alex Treviño)
Stats ESPN.com
Baseball Reference
  2019 Seasons 2021  

The 2020 Houston Astros season was the 59th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Houston, Texas, their 56th as the Astros, eighth in both the American League (AL) and AL West division, and 21st at Minute Maid Park. The team entered the season having won a franchise regular season-record 107 games, as both the defending champions of the American League and of the AL West, the runners-up of the 2019 World Series, with three consecutive 100-win regular seasons, and entrants into three consecutive American League Championship Series (ALCS); both of the latter two achievements had been unprecedented in franchise history.

Contents

The 2020 season was the first for both Dusty Baker as the Astros' manager, the 24th in franchise history, and James Click as general manager. The pair replaced A. J. Hinch and Jeff Luhnow, respectively, who were terminated for their role in the team's sign-stealing scandal which had been revealed during the 2019–20 offseason. As part of the team's punishment, they forfeited both their first- and second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 MLB drafts.

As a response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the MLB season was shortened from the standard 162-game schedule to 60 games, resulting in a delayed start to the season. [1] The season commenced on July 24 with Justin Verlander making his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted the Seattle Mariners and won, 8–12. The Astros' top overall selection in the MLB draft was Alex Santos, a compensatory pick between the second and third rounds.

By virtue of a Los Angeles Angels loss on September 25, the Astros clinched a playoff berth, reaching their fourth consecutive postseason tournament, fifth in the last six years, and 14th postseason season appearance in franchise history. It was also their fourth wild card title and second as an AL club. Baker became the first major league manager to guide five different teams to the postseason. In spite of finishing the regular season 29–31, Houston became the second AL team to reach the playoffs with a losing record following the 1981 Kansas City Royals, also during a shortened season. Hence, under the newly-expanded playoff format, Houston received the No. 6 seed in the AL.

On September 30, the Astros became the first sub-.500 team to win a playoff series, eliminating the Minnesota Twins in a two-game sweep in the AL Wild Card Series (WCS), becoming the first sub-.500 team to win a playoff game the day before (as of 2023, they remain the only sub-.500 team to ever win a playoff game or series). The Astros advanced to the American League Division Series (ALDS), where they defeated the AL West-champion Oakland Athletics three games to one. During the ALDS, the Astros batted in a historic 33 runs (and 12 home runs) across 35 innings. Next, the Astros advanced to their fourth consecutive ALCS, where they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Rays in seven games. Having trailed three-games-to-none to start the ALCS, the Astros nearly completed a dramatic comeback in forcing a Game 7.

After the season, pitcher Cristian Javier was named a finalist for the 2020 AL Rookie of the Year Award, finishing third in voting.

Offseason

Electronic sign-stealing controversy

For years, some individuals on other teams had suspected the Astros of stealing signs, but there was no public reporting on the subject until November 2019, when The Athletic reporters Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich at The Athletic published an article detailing the team's activities. Mike Fiers, who pitched for the Astros from 2015 to 2017, informed The Athletic that the organization used a video camera in center field at Minute Maid Park to film the opposing catcher's signals to the pitcher regarding the next pitch. Astros players or team staffers watching the live camera feed behind the dugout used various audio cues to signal to the batter what type of pitch was coming next. MLB opened an investigation into the allegations and confirmed in January 2020 that the Astros illegally used a camera system to steal signs during the 2017 regular season and postseason, during which they won the World Series, as well as in part of the 2018 regular season. MLB found no evidence of illicit sign stealing in the 2019 season, in which the Astros advanced to the World Series but lost.

For failure to prevent the rules violations, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and field manager A. J. Hinch were suspended for the entire 2020 season. The Astros were fined the maximum allowable $5 million and forfeited their first- and second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts. No players were punished because they had been given immunity by MLB in exchange for their cooperation. [2] The Astros subsequently fired both Luhnow and Hinch on the day their suspensions were announced. [3] MLB's investigation also determined that Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora helped mastermind the Astros' sign stealing while serving as Hinch's bench coach in 2017; Boston and Cora mutually parted ways the following day, and MLB later suspended Cora through the 2020 postseason. Carlos Beltrán was the only Astros player from 2017 who was specifically named in the report; he had been hired to manage the New York Mets in November 2019 but parted ways with the team after the results of MLB's investigation were announced.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic

On March 12, 2020, MLB announced that as a response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks in addition to the remainder of spring training being cancelled. [4] Four days later, it was announced that the start of the season would be pushed back indefinitely due to the recommendation made by the CDC to restrict events of more than fifty people for eight weeks. [5] On June 23, commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally implemented a 60-game season. Players reported to training camps on July 1 in order to resume spring training and prepare for a July 24 Opening Day. [6]

The 2020 All-Star Game was also canceled due to the delayed start.

Coaching staff changes

Releases and departures

Signings

Regular season

Summary

July

Opening Day starting lineup [17] [18]
Batting order
 4 George Springer CF
27 Jose Altuve 2B
 2 Alex Bregman 3B
23 Michael Brantley LF
10 Yuli Gurriel 1B
 1 Carlos Correa SS
22 Josh Reddick RF
16 Aledmys Díaz DH
15 Martín Maldonado   C
    Starting pitcher
35 Justin Verlander   P
Venue:Minute Maid Park • HOU 8,SEA 2

Game log

2020 Game Log: 29–31 (Home: 20–8; Away: 9–23)
July: 4–3 (Home: 3–3; Away: 1–0)
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveStadiumRecord
1July 24 Mariners 8–2 Verlander (1–0) Gonzales (0–1) Minute Maid Park 1–0
2July 25 Mariners 7–2 McCullers Jr. (1–0) Walker (0–1) Minute Maid Park 2–0
3July 26 Mariners 6–7 Altavilla (1–0) Devenski (0–1) Williams (1) Minute Maid Park 2–1
4July 27 Mariners 8–5 Bielak (1–0) Graveman (0–1) Osuna (1) Minute Maid Park 3–1
5July 28 Dodgers 2–5 Graterol (1–1) Valdez (0–1) Jansen (1) Minute Maid Park 3–2
6July 29 Dodgers 2–4 (13) Santana (1–0) Sneed (0–1) Minute Maid Park 3–3
7July 31@ Angels 9–6 Bielak (2–0) Andriese (0–1) Scrubb (1) Angel Stadium 4–3
August: 15–11 (Home: 11–2; Away: 4–9)
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveStadiumRecord
8August 1@ Angels 4–5 (10) Buchter (2–0) Rodríguez (0–1) Angel Stadium 4–4
9August 2@ Angels 6–5 (11) Taylor (1–0) Barnes (0–2) Angel Stadium 5–4
10August 4@ Diamondbacks 8–2 Javier (1–0) Bumgarner (0–2) Chase Field 6–4
11August 5@ Diamondbacks 7–14 Ray (1–2) McCullers Jr. (1–1) Chase Field 6–5
12August 6@ Diamondbacks 4–5 Guerra (1–0) Pressly (0–1) Chase Field 6–6
13August 7@ Athletics 2–3 (13) Wendelken (1–0) Sneed (0–2) Oakland Coliseum 6–7
14August 8@ Athletics 1–3 Montas (2–1) Valdez (0–2) Hendriks (5) Oakland Coliseum 6–8
15August 9@ Athletics 2–7 Luzardo (1–0) Javier (1–1) Smith (1) Oakland Coliseum 6–9
16August 10 Giants 6–4 McCullers Jr. (2–1) Webb (1–1) Pressly (1) Minute Maid Park 7–9
17August 11 Giants 6–7 (10) Gott (1–0) Sneed (0–3) Rogers (1) Minute Maid Park 7–10
18August 12 Giants 5–1 Greinke (1–0) Baragar (2–1) Minute Maid Park 8–10
19August 14 Mariners 11–1 Valdez (1–2) Cortés Jr. (0–1) Minute Maid Park 9–10
20August 15 Mariners 2–1 Javier (2–1) Margevicius (0–1) Pressly (2) Minute Maid Park 10–10
21August 16 Mariners 3–2 Pressly (1–1) Swanson (0–2) Minute Maid Park 11–10
22August 17 Rockies 2–1 Bielak (3–0) Freeland (2–1) Taylor (1) Minute Maid Park 12–10
23August 18 Rockies 2–1 (11) Scrubb (1–0) Díaz (0–1) Minute Maid Park 13–10
24August 19@ Rockies 13–6 Valdez (2–2) Castellani (0–1) Coors Field 14–10
25August 20@ Rockies 10–8 Raley (1–0) Márquez (2–4) Pressly (3) Coors Field 15–10
26August 21@ Padres 3–4 Guerra (1–0) McCullers Jr. (2–2) Pagán (1) Petco Park 15–11
27August 22@ Padres 2–13 Davies (4–2) Bielak (3–1) Petco Park 15–12
28August 23@ Padres 3–5 Stammen (3–1) Paredes (0–1) Pagán (2) Petco Park 15–13
29August 24 Angels 11–4 Valdez (3–2) Sandoval (0–4) Minute Maid Park 16–13
30August 25 (1) Angels 6–3 (7) Javier (3–1) Suárez (0–2) Pressly (4) Minute Maid Park 17–13
31August 25 (2) Angels 5–12 (7) Peña (2–0) Bielak (3–2) Minute Maid Park 17–14
August 26 Angels Postponed (Hurricane Laura); Makeup: September 5
August 28 Athletics Postponed (strikes due to shooting of Jacob Blake); Makeup: August 29
32August 29 (1) Athletics 4–2 (7) McCullers Jr. (3–2) Bassitt (2–2) Pressly (5) Minute Maid Park 18–14
33August 29 (2) Athletics 6–3 (7) Greinke (2–0) Montas (2–3) Pressly (6) Minute Maid Park 19–14
August 30 Athletics Postponed (COVID-19); Makeup: September 8
September: 10–17 (Home: 6–5; Away: 4–12)
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveStadiumRecord
34September 1 Rangers 5–6 (10) Hernández (5–0) Taylor (1–1) Montero (7) Minute Maid Park 19–15
35September 2 Rangers 2–1 Javier (4–1) Allard (0–4) Pressly (7) Minute Maid Park 20–15
36September 3 Rangers 8–4 Greinke (3–0) Lynn (4–2) Minute Maid Park 21–15
37September 4@ Angels 5–6 (11) Andriese (2–2) Raley (0–1) Angel Stadium 21–16
38September 5 (1)@ Angels 9–10 (7) Peña (3–0) Paredes (1–2) Angel Stadium 21–17
39September 5(2) Angels 6–7 (7) Ramirez (1–0) Castellanos (0–1) Buttrey (5) Angel Stadium 21–18
40September 6@ Angels 5–9 Mayers (1–0) Valdez (3–3) Angel Stadium 21–19
41September 7@ Athletics 0–6 Bassitt (3–2) Javier (4–2) Oakland Coliseum 21–20
42September 8(1) Athletics 2–4 (7) Montas (3–3) Greinke (3–1) Hendriks (11) Oakland Coliseum 21–21
43September 8 (2)@ Athletics 5–4 (7) Paredes (2–2) Wendelken (1–1) Pressly (8) Oakland Coliseum 22–21
44September 9@ Athletics 2–3 Hendriks (3–0) Pressly (1–2) Oakland Coliseum 22–22
45September 10@ Athletics 1–3 Manaea (4–2) Urquidy (0–1) Hendriks (12) Oakland Coliseum 22–23
46September 12@ Dodgers 7–5 James (1–0) Jansen (3–1) Pressly (9) Dodger Stadium 23–23
47September 13@ Dodgers 1–8 González (3–0) Greinke (3–2) Dodger Stadium 23–24
48September 15 Rangers 4–1 Urquidy (1–1) Goody (0–1) Pressly (10) Minute Maid Park 24–24
49September 16 Rangers 0–1 Gibson (2–5) Pressly (1–3) Minute Maid Park 24–25
50September 17 Rangers 2–1 Valdez (4–3) Lyles (1–5) Raley (1) Minute Maid Park 25–25
51September 18 Diamondbacks 3–6 Gallen (2–2) García (0–1) Crichton (4) Minute Maid Park 25–26
52September 19 Diamondbacks 3–2 Paredes (3–2) Weaver (1–8) Pressly (11) Minute Maid Park 26–26
53September 20 Diamondbacks 3–2 Taylor (2–1) Guerra (1–2) Pressly (12) Minute Maid Park 27–26
54September 21@ Mariners 1–6 Gonzales (7–2) McCullers Jr. (3–3) T-Mobile Park 27–27
55September 22@ Mariners 6–1 Valdez (5–3) Sadler (1–2) T-Mobile Park 28–27
56September 23@ Mariners 2–3 Margevicius (2–3) Greinke (3–3) Hirano (4) T-Mobile Park 28–28
57September 24@ Rangers 12–4 Javier (5–2) Lynn (6–3) Globe Life Field 29–28
58September 25@ Rangers 4–5 (10) Martin (1–1) Paredes (3–3) Globe Life Field 29–29
59September 26@ Rangers 1–6 Herget (1–0) Bielak (3–3) Globe Life Field 29–30
60September 27@ Rangers 4–8 Benjamin (2–1) De Jong (0–1) Globe Life Field 29–31
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement
Bold = Astros team member

Season standings

AL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Oakland Athletics 3624.60022101414
Houston Astros 2931.4837209922
Seattle Mariners 2733.450914101323
Los Angeles Angels 2634.4331016151019
Texas Rangers 2238.367141614624
Division leaders
Team W L Pct.
Tampa Bay Rays 4020.667
Oakland Athletics 3624.600
Minnesota Twins 3624.600
Division 2nd place
Team W L Pct.
Cleveland Indians 3525.583
New York Yankees 3327.550
Houston Astros 2931.483
Wild Card teams
(Top 2 teams qualify for postseason)
Team W L Pct. GB
Chicago White Sox 3525.583+3
Toronto Blue Jays 3228.533
Seattle Mariners 2733.4505
Los Angeles Angels 2634.4336
Kansas City Royals 2634.4336
Baltimore Orioles 2535.4177
Boston Red Sox 2436.4008
Detroit Tigers 2335.3978
Texas Rangers 2238.36710

Record vs. opponents

TeamHOULAAOAKSEATEXNL
Houston 4–63–77–35–510–10
Los Angeles 6–44–65–54–67–13
Oakland 7–36–46–47–310–10
Seattle 3–75–54–68–27–13
Texas 5–56–43–72–86–14

Roster

2020 Houston Astros
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases; BB = Walks; AVG = Batting average; SLG = Slugging average

PlayerGABRH2B3BHRRBISBBBAVGSLG
Yuli Gurriel 572112749121622012.232.384
Kyle Tucker 582093356126942818.268.512
Carlos Correa 58201225390525016.264.383
Jose Altuve 48192324290518217.219.344
George Springer 511893750621432124.265.540
Josh Reddick 561882246111423120.245.378
Michael Brantley 461702451150522217.300.476
Alex Bregman 421531937121622024.242.451
Martín Maldonado 47135192940624127.215.378
Abraham Toro 33871313203913.149.276
Myles Straw 3382817400864.207.256
Aledmys Díaz 1758814503601.241.483
Jack Mayfield 214258100302.190.214
Dustin Garneau 173846011406.158.289
Taylor Jones 72134101301.190.381
Garrett Stubbs 14811000100.125.125
Yordan Alvarez 2822001400.250.625
Team Totals601992279478103126926822192.240.408

Source:

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerWLERAGGSSVIPHRERBBSO
Framber Valdez 533.571110070.26332281676
Zack Greinke 334.031212067.0673030967
Lance McCullers Jr. 333.931111055.04429242056
Cristian Javier 523.481210054.13621211854
Brandon Bielak 336.75126032.03926241726
José Urquidy 112.7355029.22299817
Andre Scrubb 101.90200123.215552024
Ryan Pressly 133.432301221.021108729
Blake Taylor 212.18220120.213751217
Enoli Paredes 333.05220020.218971120
Cy Sneed 035.71180017.12215111021
Josh James 107.27132017.11514141721
Brooks Raley 013.94170116.0887421
Luis García 012.9251012.174459
Humberto Castellanos 016.7580010.21288512
Nivaldo Rodríguez 016.235008.2157668
Brandon Bailey 002.455007.162234
Chase De Jong 0114.733207.112121249
Cionel Pérez 002.847006.172268
Justin Verlander 103.001106.032217
Joe Biagini 0020.774004.110101044
Roberto Osuna 002.084014.131103
Chris Devenski 0114.734003.276635
Bryan Abreu 002.704003.112173
Brad Peacock 007.713002.132213
Carlos Sanabria 009.002002.032232
Team Totals29314.31606016524.0472275251217526

Source:

Postseason

Game log

2020 Postseason Game Log: (8–5)
ALWCS vs Twins: (2–0)
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveStadiumRecord
1September 29@ Twins 4–1 Valdez (1–0) Romo (0–1) Target Field 1–0
2September 30@ Twins 3–1 Javier (1–0) Stashak (0–1) Pressly (1) Target Field 2–0
ALDS vs Athletics: (3–1)
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveStadiumRecord
1October 5@ Athletics 10–5 Taylor (1–0) Wendelken (0–1) Dodger Stadium 1–0
2October 6@ Athletics 5–2 Valdez (1–0) Manaea (0–1) Pressly (1) Dodger Stadium 2–0
3October 7 Athletics 7–9 Hendriks (1–0) Raley (0–1) Dodger Stadium 2–1
4October 8 Athletics 11–6 Javier (1–0) Montas (0–1) Dodger Stadium 3–1
all games played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA
ALCS vs Rays: (3–4)
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveStadiumRecord
1October 11@ Rays 1–2 Snell (1–0) Valdez (0–1) Castillo (1) Petco Park 0–1
2October 12@ Rays 2–4 Morton (1–0) McCullers Jr. (0–1) Anderson (1) Petco Park 0–2
3October 13 Rays 2–5 Yarbrough (1–0) Urquidy (0–1) Castillo (2) Petco Park 0–3
4October 14 Rays 4–3 Greinke (1–0) Glasnow (0–1) Pressly (1) Petco Park 1–3
5October 15 Rays 4–3 Pressly (1–0) Anderson (0–1) Petco Park 2–3
6October 16@ Rays 7–4 Valdez (1–1) Snell (1–1) Pressly (2) Petco Park 3–3
7October 17@ Rays 2–4 Morton (2–0) McCullers Jr. (0–2) Fairbanks (1) Petco Park 3–4
all games played at Petco Park in San Diego, CA

Postseason rosters

Playoff rosters

Awards and achievements

Awards
American League batting leaders

Minor league system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA Round Rock Express Pacific Coast League
AA Corpus Christi Hooks Texas League
A-Advanced Fayetteville Woodpeckers Carolina League
A Quad Cities River Bandits Midwest League
A-Short Season Tri-City ValleyCats New York–Penn League
Rookie GCL Astros Gulf Coast League
Rookie DSL Astros Dominican Summer League

Charitable efforts during Coronavirus pandemic

As of mid-April 2020, Astro teammates Carlos Correa and Martin Maldonado, along with fellow Major Leaguers such as Francisco Lindor and Eddie Rosario, as well as musical stars, have already shipped 26 pallets of medical supplies to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Astros owner Jim Crane has waived all shipping and logistic charges through his company Crane Worldwide Logistics. [21]

See also

References

  1. Feinsand, Mark (June 24, 2020). "Play Ball: MLB announces 2020 regular season". MLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  2. Diamond, Jared (January 22, 2020). "Astros Players Cheated. Baseball Wanted Answers. So It Made a Deal". The Wall Street Journal . Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  3. Passan, Jeff (January 13, 2020). "Astros' Luhnow, Hinch fired after MLB gives ban". ESPN.com . Archived from the original on May 23, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  4. Mark Feinsand (March 12, 2020). "Opening Day delayed at least 2 weeks; Spring Training games cancelled". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  5. "Opening of regular season to be pushed back". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  6. Feinsand, Mark (June 24, 2020). "Play Ball: MLB announces 2020 regular season". MLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  7. "Press release: Don Kelly Named Pirates Bench Coach". MLB.com .
  8. "Astros: Meet Omar Lopez, Houston's new first base coach". December 24, 2019.
  9. "Astros' Jeff Luhnow, AJ Hinch suspended for 2020". MLB.com .
  10. "Statement of the Commissioner" (PDF). img.mlbstatic.com.
  11. "Astros Fire AJ Hinch, Jeff Luhnow for Cheating; Joe Espada to be Interim Manager". Bleacher Report .
  12. "Astros sign Baker, emphasize 'respect' factor". ESPN.com. January 29, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  13. "Press release: Yankees sign Gerrit Cole to nine-year contract". MLB.com .
  14. "Gerrit Cole signs with Yankees". MLB.com .
  15. "Where Gerrit Cole's historic $324 million deal ranks among richest contracts in MLB history for a pitcher".
  16. "Gerrit Cole rejects Astros' qualifying offer". MLB.com .
  17. "Seattle Mariners (2) vs Houston Astros (8) box score". Baseball Almanac . July 24, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  18. "2020 Houston Astros uniform numbers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  19. "Darryl Kile Award". Baseball Almanac . Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "Houston BBWAA announces 2020 Astros award winners". MLB.com (Press release). October 5, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  21. Carlos Correa, Martin Maldonado Helping Aid Puerto Rico, Real GM Wiretap, April 15, 2020.