The 2025 Houston Astros season is the 64th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 62nd as the Astros, 13th in both the American League (AL) and AL West division, and 26th at Daikin Park, with this being the first season under the stadium's new name after formerly being named "Minute Maid Park". They entered the season as four-time defending AL West champions with an 88–73 record, and entrants into eight consecutive postseasons, both streaks franchise records, and the second-longest active postseason streak in MLB.
Former relief pitcher Billy Wagner, who spent the majority of his playing career with the Astros, was elected as one of the five honorees to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Wagner became the third player to be elected into the Hall as a member of the Astros, and the eleventh Astro overall. His #13 jersey was retired on August 16.
Making his fourth consecutive Opening Day start, Framber Valdez became the fifth starting pitcher in franchise history to achieve the same.[Note 1] On April 20, 2025, the Astros played the 10,000th game in franchise history, which resulted in a 3–2 defeat to the San Diego Padres at Daikin Park.
For the first time since the 2020 season, the Astros did not win the AL West; it was the first time they didn’t win the division in a full 162-game season since 2016.
Offseason
Summary
The Houston Astros entered the 2025 season as defending American League (AL) West champions, their fourth consecutive division title, seventh AL West title, and 14th division title in franchise history, including those won as former members of the National League (NL) West and NL Central divisions. Further, it was the ninth season in the previous 10 in which they had qualified for the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason, and franchise-record eighth consecutive.[1]
On October 14, 2024, it was announced that the Astros would not renew the contract of third base coachGary Pettis for the 2025 season, concluding a 10-year period with the club.[4] On October 24, the Astros hired Tony Perezchica to succeed Pettis, and to assume roles as infield coach and run prevention coordinator.[5]
The Astros announced on November 18 that Minute Maid Park was to be renamed Daikin Park the following January 1 as result of a new naming-rights sponsorship with Daikin Industries, Ltd., with corresponding changes to the stadium. This partnership between the Astros and Daikin covered the next 15 seasons through 2039.[8]
December 2024—January 2025
On December 13, 2024, the Astros completed one of the most significant trades in franchise history, sending three-time All-Star, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award winner Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third base prospect Cam Smith.[9] Ten days later, the Astros signed free agent first baseman Christian Walker to 3-year, $60 million contract. Walker, who was the winner of the three previous Gold Glove Awards at his position as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, had slashed .250/.332/.481 over the prior three seasons.[10]
Left-handed pitcher Billy Wagner was elected as one five inductees for 2025 to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his tenth and final year of Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) eligibility. Having played nine of his 16 major league seasons in a Houston uniform, Wagner joined his former teammates Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell as the third player to have spent the majority of his career as a member of the Astros to be enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His 225 saves while with the Astros remained the most in franchise history at the time of induction.[11]
In a separate transaction with the Cubs at the end of January, the Astros swapped postseason saves leader Ryan Pressly for minor league pitcher Juán Bello.[12]
The Astros began deploying long-time second baseman Jose Altuve in left field in spring training to improve their infield defense and outfield offense.[75] He had not previously made any professional appearances as an outfielder.[76]
The Astros went 16–12 in spring training, good for second place in the Grapefruit League and two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays, and a 1⁄2-game ahead of the Boston Red Sox.[77]
With the selection of 2015 amateur draftee and infielder Brendan Rodgers (3rd overall by the Colorado Rockies) to the Opening Day roster, he joined Bregman (2nd by the Astros) and Tucker (5th by the Astros) as the third top-five selection from that draft class to have made Houston's major league roster.[78] Rodgers also joined shortstop Jeremy Peña and fellow newcomer Christian Walker (first baseman) as one of three former Gold Glove Award winners in the 2025 Astros' infield.
The New York Mets and Houston Astros, MLB's 1962 National League expansion duo, had never faced each other on Opening Day in 63 prior seasons. Framber Valdez (1–0), making his fourth consecutive Opening Day start for Houston,[Note 8] tossed seven scoreless innings and closerJosh Hader struck out Juan Soto with two on and two outs in the ninth to seal the Astros' 3–1 win over the Mets. The save was the 200th of Hader's career. In the second inning, rookie Cam Smith—who was making his major league debut—hit an opposite-field single in his first at bat off the first pitch from starter Clay Holmes for his first major league hit.[85] New York won the middle game, catalyzed by Soto's first home run for the Mets, leading a 3–1 score. Soto's blast came off starter Hunter Brown (0–1), who struck out seven over six innings, allowing four hits and all three runs (two earned).[86] In the series finale, Jeremy Peña homered and Yordan Alvarez' tiebreaking double in the sixth—also his first hit of the season—lifted the Astros to a 2–1 win. Hence, the Astros took two of three in the season-opening series. Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti (1–0) yielded a first-inning double to Juan Soto, and just one run with five strikeouts over six innings, in what culminated as the only hit of a combined one-hitter. In the ninth, Hader walked Soto as the leadoff batter before retiring the next three bfor his second save.[87]
Ryan Gusto made his major league debut on March 31,[88] tossing two scoreless innings in relief. He entered in the seventh inning and retired Matt Chapman with a swinging strikeout, his first in the major leagues.[89] Added to the major league roster to start the previous season's finale versus the Cleveland Guardians,[90] that game was cancelled due to rain and no makeup was played.[91] Led by home runs from Wilmer Flores, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Luis Matos in the finale, the Giants swept the Astros at home with a 6–3 win. It was the first series sweep of Houston by San Francisco since August 28–30, 2012, the last season in which the Astros were a member of the National League.[92]
In Houston's 2025 road opener in Minneapolis, Christian Walker and Jeremy Peña started the second inning with back-to-back home runs, and Brendan Rodgers stroked three hits and three RBI to lead the Houston Astros to a 5–2 win. Hunter Brown (2–0) yielded two runs, five hits, and no walks, with eight strikeouts in six innings, including retiring 15 of the last 16 batters faced. Jose Altuve struck out in all five plate appearances, the first time he had struck out as many time times in one game in the major leagues.[93] It was Walker's first home run as an Astro.[94] Altuve bounced back the following game, cranking his 41st career leadoff home run among three hits and no strikeouts. However, the Twins scored 6 times in fourth inning, benefitting from lost command by Arrighetti (1–1) and two errors—include one by Altuve in left field—to win the middle game, 6–1.[95] The Astros won the third game, 9–7, in their first extra innings contest of the year, and biggest comeback for the season to date. In the fourth inning, the Twins led, 7–1. The Astros rallied starting in the fifth inning, totaling eight runs, capped Yordan Alvarez' game-tying 9th-inning home run, his first of the season. Houston scored the final two and game-winning runs in the tenth.[96]
On April 8, Arrighetti sustained a right thumb fracture after being hit by a batted ball during pre-game workouts at T-Mobile Park, and was placed on the 15-day injured list (IL).[65]
In the middle game on April 8, Cam Smith stroked his first major league triple in the seventh inning to drive home Yainer Díaz. In the top of the 12th inning, Víctor Caratini's RBI single was the game-winning hit for a 2–1 score. Gusto (1–0) pitched the 11th inning for his first major league win and Steven Okert followed with a scoreless 12th for his first save in an Astros uniform. Hader pitched the ninth and tenth as Astros relievers combined for 5+1⁄3 scoreless innings.[97]
In the series opening game, the Astros won with a season-high to date scoring output at 14–3, led by Yainer Díaz' first career grand slam. The Astros scored nine times with two outs. Cam Smith produced each of his first major league home run, double, and stolen base,. Paredes reached base in each of his last 5 plate appearances, including his first home run in an Astros uniform. The Astros, who entered the contest with the majors' lowest team batting average, amassed 16 hits. Díaz' slam was first for the Astros since José Abreu's in a 12–3 win over the Texas Rangers on September 6, 2023.[98][99]
Rookie Cam Smith connected both of his first career multi-home run and four-RBI game to lead a 6–4 win over San Diego. Both his home runs were surrendered by Padres starter Kyle Hart.[100] In game two, Christian Walker hit a two-run home run and Isaac Paredes delivered the tie-breaking single in the bottom of the seventh to give the Astros the 3–2 lead for good. Josh Hader retired former Astro Yuli Gurriel on a fly ball to end the game for the save (6) and give the Astros their first two-game winning streak of the season.[101] The finale was also the 10,000th contest in franchise history for the Astros. The Padres won, 3–2, to avoid the sweep as Fernando Tatís Jr. homered, tripled, and delivered all three runs for San Diego.[102] The Astros' all-time franchise record stood at 5019–4976–5 (.502)win–loss–tied (W–L–T) following the contest.[103]
In the opener, Hunter Brown tossed 7 scoreless frames with 9 strikeouts, and Forrest Whitley finished the last 2 innings for Houston's second shutout. Jose Altuve hit a two-run double, and Brendan Rodgers collected two hits and two RBI.[104] On April 23, Walker connected for the 150th home run of his career off Bowden Francis and Gusto tossed 5+2⁄3 shutout innings to lead a 3–1 win.[105]
The Royals claimed the first two games of the series with back-to-back 2–0 shutout defeats of the Astros. Their first two offensive shutouts of the season, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha were the Royals' starting pitchers who primarily stymied the Astros. Jeremy Peña, who authored a career-high 14-game hitting streak that spanned April 8–23 starting with a game against Seattle through Toronto, was hitless in the first game against Kansas City.[106] However, in the second game, Peña collected a single and a walk.[107] The Astros avoided a sweep with 7–3 win the finale, as Yordan Alvarez homered in the third inning off Kris Bubic to snap the Astros' 26-inning scoreless streak. Meanwhile, Hunter Brown (4–1) yielded one run in six innings on seven hits and a walk with nine strikeouts, having authored a scoreless innings streak of 28 that ended in the fifth inning when Bobby Witt Jr. doubled home Jonathan India.[Note 9] Brown ended the contest with a 1.22 ERA through his first six starts of the season.[108][109]
In the opener versus Detroit, Jose Altuve and Christian Walker both hit two-run home runs, and two errors in the seventh inning by shortstop Trey Sweeney allowed the Astros to tack on four more runs. Steven Okert (1–0) hurled a scoreless top of the sixth inning to earn his first win as an Astro prior to Altuve's home run in the bottom of the inning to give the Astros a 4–3 lead.[110] Christian Walker went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and run scored, and Yainer Díaz hit a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning to lead Houston's come-from-behind, 6–4 win on April 29.[111] The Astros called up AJ Blubaugh to the major league roster on April 30, and he made his major league debut that day as the starting pitcher. He yielded a two-run home run to Colt Keith in the second inning and a grand slam the following inning to Javier Báez, as the Tigers won the finale, 7–4. Blubaugh (0–1) pitched four innings and allowed 7 runs, but just 2 were earned after the Astros were charged 2 errors, and he also struck out 6.[112]
Hunter Brown received MLB Central's Pitch Hand Award for April, thus recognizing him as the best pitcher in the major leagues for the month.[113]
On May 3, Jake Meyers became the first Astro to record 2 home runs, 1 triple and 1 double in a single game to lead an 8–3 win over Chicago. He also tied a club record with 13 total bases and established a career-high seven RBI.[114]
Following a 915-day absence spanning from the 2022 World Series, starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. made his 2025 debut on May 4 and tossed 3+2⁄3 scoreless innings with three hits, three walks allowed, and four strikeouts.[58] Houston took a 4–0 lead; however, the White Sox rallied in the fifth inning. Josh Rojas draw a bases-loaded walk, and Lenyn Sosa followed with a two-run single. As rain began to fall, Astros relievers struggled with command, and the White Sox capitalized in the sixth inning to take the lead, 5–4, just before the contest was called after 6+1⁄2 innings.[115]
On May 5, the Astros placed designated hitter Yordan Alvarez on the 10-day injured list (IL) due to right hand inflammation based on a small muscle strain. He had last played on May 3 in Chicago.[66]
Jeremy Peña, whose 0-for-3 performance in the second game on May 6 ended a 9-game hitting streak, had featured hits in 23 of each of his prior 24 games played to raise his season batting average from .154 to .281.[106]
Over two innings on May 7, Houston collected five walks, and benefitted from a Milwaukee error and passed ball. Jeremy Peña hit a three-run home run in the sixth to extend the lead to 6–1. Framber Valdez tossed seven innings with three hits and seven strikeouts. The Astros won the finale, 9–1, and the Brewers became the 24th team that Valdez had defeated.[116]
On May 9, the Astros placed starter Hayden Wesneski on the IL due to right elbow discomfort. He had last pitched on May 6 after tossing 80 pitches in 4 innings against Milwaukee.[67]
Hunter Brown (6–1) started the series opener against Cincinnati and delivered 5+2⁄3 shutout innings to lead a 3–0 win. The win was the Astros' first against the Reds since June 19, 2016, to snap a nine-game losing streak to Cincinnati.[117] McCullers (0–1), making his second start since freturning the IL, got just one out while surrendering 7 runs as the Reds scored 10 total in the first inning. It was the eighth time in francise history that Houston had surrendered 10 or more runs in an inning. Víctor Caratini hit a three-run home run as the Astros answered with six runs in the third inning.[118] In that inning, Jose Altuve doubled off Reds starter Nick Martinez for his 700th career extra-base hit, the fourth Astro to reach this milestone with the club.[b][119] On May 11, Ronel Blanco struck out 11 to establish a new career high over eight innings and lead a 6–0, two-hit shutout to win the finale and the series.[120]
In the middle game of the series, Framber Valdez tossed eight innings with one run allowed, and Isaac Paredes' first career walk-off home run clinched a 2–1 final score. This was also the first walk-off home run of the season for Houston.[121] In the finale, Jeremy Peña, who had four hits, singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth off Royals closer Carlos Estévez. Colton Gordon made his major league debut for the Astros as the starting pitcher, tallying 4+1⁄3 innings with 3 runs yielded.[122]
In the series opener, Hunter Brown (6–2) tossed his first complete game in professional baseball, surrendering just 1 run on a Jake Burger home run. However, he was outdueled by eight shutout innings from Jacob deGrom as Texas prevailed, 1–0.[123] In the second game, Christian Walker's three-run home run capped a six-run seventh to lead a 6–3 win over the Rangers, overcome another stellar and scoreless 5+2⁄3 innings from Nathan Eovaldi, and snap Texas' 6-game winning streak. Lance McCullers bounced back from the disastrous last start against Cincinnati to pitch 4 innings and allow two runs, both unearned.[124] In the seventh inning of the finale, Yainer Díaz' solo home run erased a no-hit and shutout bid of 6+2⁄3 innings by the Rangers' Jack Leiter. The following inning, Isaac Paredes' 3-run home run off Robert Garcia plated the game-winning run, making starter Framber Valdez (3–4) the winning pitcher. The Astros and Rangers split the series.[125]
The Astros announced on May 18 that Hayden Wesneski required Tommy John surgery and would miss the remainder of the 2025 season and part of 2026.[126]
The Astros won the opener, 4–3, after Jake Meyers connected go-ahead home run (3) in the top of the seventh inning off Rays reliever Manuel Rodríguez. Mayers also walked, had a stolen base and scored on a double by Cam Smith off starter Ryan Pepiot in a 3-run first inning. Colton Gordon, a native of St. Petersburg, made his second major league start for the Astros and yielded 3 runs in 5+1⁄3 innings, getting 7 strikeouts.[127]Brandon Walter made his Astros debut in the middle game which was also his first major league start. Gordon tossed five scoreless innings; however, the Rays rallied for 3–2 win and Walter received a no decision[128]
Jose Altuve connected for his 12th career multi-home run game Jeremy Peña tripled in two runs for his 500th career hit in the opener to lead Houston to a 9–2 win.[Note 10] Altuve also set a personal high for the season with 4 RBI.[129]Bryan Abreu (1–2), having remained unscored upon in 18 of his first 20 outings of the season, surrendered the game-tying double to Julio Rodríguez and the go-ahead home run to Cal Raleigh in the seventh inning to blow the save opportunity and take the 5–3 loss in the second game.[130] The following game, Houston scored two unearned runs by capitalizing on two first-inning errors as Jeremy Peña and Christian Walker collected two hits apiece. In the eighth, Abreu struck out Mitch Garver to end the inning with Rodríguez on base. The Astros held on for a 2–1 win.[131] In the finale, Walker hit his first walk-off home run as a member of the Astros for a 5–3 win, a two-run home run, and third career walk-off hit. The Astros took three of four games in the series versus the AL West-leading Mariners.[132]
Jose Altuve homered twice—his second multi-home run game in six days—and produced his 40th career 4-hit game while Hunter Brown rebounded from a rocky start at Tampa Bay to toss six efficient innings and lead Houston to an 11–1 over the Athletics on May 27. The Astros connected for 8 extra-base hits—a season high—including four home runs.[133]
In the second game, Isaac Paredes hit a sacrifice fly, Zach Dezenzo hit a home run and Víctor Caratini recorded 2 RBIs in a 5–3 victory over the Athletics. Starter Lance McCullers threw his strongest outing yet in a comeback bid, reaching season-highs both with six innings and 12 strikeouts, while achieving a quality start for the first time.[Note 11] In the seventh inning, Dezenzo's homer tied the score at 3 runs apiece. The Astros then loaded the bases, and Caratini delivered the go-ahead, two-run single for the decisive runs that gave the Astros the lead for good.[Note 12][134]
As a result, the Astros had won four consecutive games for the first time on the season and were also a season-high 5 games over .500 (30–25).[134]
Jose Altuve and Yainer Díaz each hit a home run. However, Bryan King (3–1) struggled, giving up 5 runs in a 3–13 loss to the Rays. Junior Caminero homered and collected a career-high 6 RBI to lead Tampa Bay, who got five more stolen bases to push their league-best total to 81.[135] Framber Valdez (5–4) tossed an 83-pitch three-hit complete game the following day and his batterymate Yainer Díaz belted an opposite-field a walk-off home run to give the Astros a 2–1 victory. Valdez struck out nine, walked one, and netted a game score of 85.[136] His pitch count matched Darryl Kile for the fewest to a complete game in club history, the contest in which Kile tossed his no-hitter in 1993.[137]
The Rays established offensive season-highs on May 31 at the expense of Astros' pitching, led by Caminero, who hit two of Tampa Bay's season-high five home runs, and Rays starter Zack Littell (5–5) pitched the club's first complete game since 2016 on the way a 16–3 pummeling of Houston. The Rays also tied their season-high in runs and collected another season-high 18 hits. Brandon Lowe hit an RBI double to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 13 games. Jake Mangum hit his first career home run in the sixth. Jeremy Peña homered twice for the Astros.[138]
The Astros scored an unearned run on June 1 off Taj Bradley in the first inning, Hunter Brown (8–3) tossed six shutout innings, and the Astros held on for a 1–0 win to earn the series split. In the first inning, Christian Walker singled home Jeremy Peña, who had reached on an error in that pivotal first inning.[139] Melton made his major league debut for the Astros, starting in center field, and legged out an infield single in the fifth inning off Bradley for his first major league hit.[140] The Astros, outscored by the Rays by 21 runs, set a franchise record for negative run-scoring differential while still obtaining a series split.
Lance McCullers Jr. (1–1) and Paul Skenes (4–6) locked into a dominant pitching duel on June 3, with the Astros winning 3–0. Skenes yielded just one run in eight innings, a home run to Christian Walker (8),[141] The 50th win of McCullers' career, it was also his first in the regular season since September 21, 2022, against Tampa Bay.[142] In the second game, Ryan Gusto (3–3) gave up eight hits and three runs, leading to a 3–0 loss. Isaac Paredes homered twice and Jose Altuve hit a sacrifice fly as the Astros won the game, 8–2, and the series. Framber Valdez (6–4) struck out 11 batters in seven innings.
Rookie Colton Gordon (1–1) hurled five innings on June 6 at Progressive Field with one run on seven hits surrendered and struck out five to earn his first major league win and set up the Astros' 4–2 win. Two assists by Mauricio Dubón, starting in left field, in the bottom of the first inning to second base prevented both Ángel Martínez and José Ramírez from extending singles into doubles.[Note 13] In the top of the fifth, aided by opportunistic baserunning from Jeremy Peña, Altuve and Walker hit consecutive RBI singles for Houston to take a 3–0 lead. Peña produced a second consecutive three-hit game to extend a hitting streak to 12 games while pilfering a stolen and Paredes drew three walks and hit a single. Josh Hader shut down the Guardians' lineup in the bottom of the ninth to earn a 17th consecutive save.[144]
Isaac Paredes singled in an insurance run and Jake Meyers scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch on June 7 to give the Astros a 5–3 win in 10 innings. In the bottom of the tenth, Bennett Sousa struck out Jhonkensy Noel with two outs and runners on first and second to secure his first save of the season and as Astro. Josh Hader (2–0) pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the win.[145] Left-hander Brandon Walter made his second start for the Astros on June 8, yielding two runs in six innings—both on a home run to Bo Naylor in the second inning. Jake Meyers had his second 4-hit game of the season. Cam Smith hit a two-run double in the seventh tie the game at 2. In the bottom of the seventh, Will Wilson laid a sacrifice bunt with two runners on and Astros reliever Steven Okert's (1–2) throwing error led to two additional runs, and the Guardians held on for the win, 4–2.[146]
McCullers, facing the White Sox a second time since his 2025 debut one month earlier, struggled with command, surrendering a home run to Luis Robert Jr., who remained hot against the Astros. McCullers (1–2) surrendered four runs, four hits and four walks over five innings to take the loss by a 4–2 score. The Astros got nine hits and three walks, but grounded into three double plays.[147] On June 11, Walker stroked three hits including a home run (9) and Ryan Gusto (4–3) tossed six innings with seven strikeouts and just two runs allowed for his first quality start as a major leaguer to lead to a 10–2 over the White Sox. The Astros, who had entered the contest having scored 15 total runs on the season in the first inning, got three, including Walker's home run. Jose Altuve collected 2 hits to reach 2,300 for his career, the 158th player in MLB history and third Astro to reach the plateau.[148] Framber Valdez (7–4) tossed five innings with 7 hits allowed and 12 strikeouts on June 12. Per Baseball-Reference, this was the first start in club history with 12 or more strikeouts over five or fewer innings. Altuve stroked 2 doubles and Paredes hit a key home run that become in the insurance run and the Astros prevailed in the finale, 4–3.[149]
Hunter Brown tossed 7 innings on June 15 with just 2 runs surrendered to the Twins, struck out a career-high 12, and rookie Cam Smith's ground ball single up the middle delivered his first career walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth for the 3–2 win. Bryan Abreu struck out three in the eighth, Josh Hader (3–0) struck out 2 in the ninth for the win and Astros pitching got 17 total strikeouts.[150] On June 15, Víctor Caratini hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to score Altuve and tie the game at 1. Dubón's single to the left field wall with two outs in the tenth inning scored Meyers for the go-ahead run and second consecutive walk-off win, 2–1.[151]
The Astros stroked a season-high 20 hits for an 11–4 victory on June 18, powered by three-run home runs each from Altuve and Caratini. Three hits each came from Altuve, Caratini, Meyers, Peña and Smith.[152] Rookie Nick Kurtz hit two walk-off home runs over the game 4 days against the Astros, and three overall in the series in his team's last at bat. In the first game, he hit it against Bryan Abreu (1–3), and in the final game, against Josh Hader (4–1).[153]
Behind a pair of home runs from Logan O'Hoppe and 6+1⁄3 stifling innings from starter José Soriano, Los Angeles won 9–1 on June 21. Soriano had allowed just 2 runs over his previous 20+1⁄3 innings, struck out 28, and no home runs over his previous ten starts.[154] Over a six-game span between Sutter Health Park and Angel Stadium, Dubón hit for a power surge, with four home runs, including two on June 22 that were instrumental in 8–7 finale and series win.[155]
The Astros tossed consecutive shutouts on June 24 and 25, beginning with Framber Valdez' 7-inning effort to lead a 1–0 win. In the ninth inning, Cooper Hummel hit his first home of the season for the only run of the game. On June 25, Colton Gordon (3–1) and four relievers—all left-handed—combined in a seven-hitter for a 2–0 score. This was the first time for Houston that they had used as many an 5 left-handed pitchers in a single game.[156]
First-half summary: Houston won their 81st game, thus concluding the midway point of the season, with a 2–1 score over Philadelphia for the series sweep while also nearly pulling off a series shutout. The Astros held the Phillies scoreless for 25 consecutive innings until a Brandon Marsh hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. Hunter Brown tossed 7 scoreless innings and struck out 9. The Astros improved to 17–7 in one-run games, while their first-half record was 48–33, at that point a season-high 15 games over .500 and a five-game lead over Seattle.[157]
The arrival of the Cubs to Daikin Park signaled the return of Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly along with the reunion of Paredes and Smith with their prior organization. Josh Hader's save of the 7–4 win in the first game was the 22nd straight he had converted to start the season, which surpassed Dave Smith's club record for the same type of feat, accomplished in 1989.[158] In the middle game, Tucker homered and had four hits to lead a 12–3 Chicago victory and spoil of Lance McCullers' return from a second IL stint. Smith hit his second home run in as many days to temporarily give Houston a 2–1 lead.[159] Behind Framber Valdez, Houston bounced back in the finale to win, 2–0, and win another home series, taking two of three from Chicago. Bryan Abreu worked through two critical innings, while Josh Hader tossed a scoreless ninth to secure his 23rd save.[160]
The Astros concluded this 6-game homestand 5–1. Playing to a major league-best 19–7 record for the month of June, the Astros improved their record to 50–34, occupied in first place in the AL West with a 6+1⁄2-game lead over Seattle, while joining the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers as the third club to have reached 50 wins.[160]
For the month of June, Hunter Brown was recognized with the AL Pitcher of the Month Award, while Josh Hader received AL Reliever of the Month honors. Brown's work included a 1.19 earned run average (ERA) with 13 hits surrendered and 39 strikeouts in 30+1⁄3 innings; he led the AL in ERA and was third in strikeouts.[Note 14] Hader, who had won the previous August with the Astros, converted 9-of-9 save opportunities, posted a 1.98 ERA, 4–1 W–L record and struck out 22 over 13+2⁄3 innings. This was the first career selection for Brown and eighth for Hader.[161]
On July 1, Víctor Caratini's third career grand slam in the third inning capped a 6–5 Astros win, while Christian Walker was 3-for-4 with a run batted in (RBI).[162] On July 2, Jose Altuve singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning for his 2.315th hit to pass Jeff Bagwell and move into second place for most hits in franchise history, trailing only Craig Biggio (3,060). In the second inning, Shay Whitcomb connected for his first major league home run. Hunter Brown struck out Hunter Goodman for the 500th of his career. Brown joined teammate Lance McCullers Jr. as the only Astros pitchers to reach 500 strikeouts within their first 86 appearances. The Astros won, 5–3.[163]
The Astros won the opener on Independence Day, 18–1, inducing the most lopsided loss at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles' franchise history.[Note 15] Altuve homered twice with 5 RBI, Walker homered among 4 hits and 4 RBI, and Caratini hit another grand slam, two doubles and 4 RBI as the Astros collected 20 total hits, 11 for extra bases.[164]Yainer Díaz homered, Framber Valdez (10–4) struck out seven and surrendered four runs in six innings, and Josh Hader recorded 4 outs to convert his major league-leading 25th save.[165] On July 6, the Astros completed the three-game sweep, their first at Dodger Stadium since May 9–11, 2008. Ryan Gusto (6–3) held the Dodgers to one run in six innings, recent call-up Zack Short had three hits, and Díaz, Altuve and Walker all homered for Houston.[166]
Initial MLB All-Star Game rosters. Astros players selected for the American League squad included:[167]
Cleveland, who arrived in Houston on a 10-game losing streak with 15 total runs scored, swept the series from the Astros, and exceed their scoring output of the entire losing streak. José Ramírez homered in all three games in [169]
In the opener, Lance McCullers lasted three innings and gave up five runs as Texas won, 7–3. The Astros entered a season-high four-game losing streak. Second baseman Brice Matthews made his major league debut for Houston.[170]
Astros rookie second baseman Brice Matthews, who had just made his major league debut on July 11, took over as the offensive star of the series with 3 home runs and 8 RBI. In the second inning of the series opener, Matthews connected for a 3-run home run off Arizona ace Zac Gallen, and added a two-run home in the seventh inning to lead a 6–3 Houston win.[171] Matthews homered the following day to back Astros ace Framber Valdez' (11–4) 7-inning effort, who allowed just one run, as Houston won again, 3–1. Valdez also extended a personal winning streak to 10 games.[172]
Carlos Correa was one of the Astros' trade deadline acquisitions.
During the July 25 contest, A's rookie Nick Kurtz hit the 20th four home run game in major league history at the expense of Astros pitching, including a record-tying six hits and 19 total bases. Kurtz matched Shawn Green's game in 2002 for the three achievements, becoming just the second major leaguer to do so, while becoming the first rookie to hit four home runs in a single game.[173]
The Nationals won the finale, 2–1, while Houston lost for the first time in 13 starts by Valdez. He yielded just one run in six innings while tying his season-high of 12 strikeouts. In the third inning, his strikeout of Alex Call was the 1,000th of his career, the tenth Astros pitcher to reach this milestone.[174]
On August 2, Christian Walker recorded his 500th career RBI by connecting for a two-run home run off Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler in the first inning; Boston took the second game of the series, 7–3.[181] Boston swept the Houston Astros in the three-game set, as Framber Valdez allowed six runs in the finale to take the loss, 6–1, and end a personal 10-game winning streak. The Red Sox did all of their scoring in the fourth inning, taking advantage of several key Astros mistakes.[182]
One of the Astros' recent acquisitions to fill in for their injury-depleted starting rotation, Jason Alexander (2–1), hurled six scoreless innings at LoanDepot Park to lead an 8–2 Astros win in the series opener. Outfielder Jesús Sánchez, acquired from the Marlins just days earlier, stroked an RBI double to open the Astros' scoring with a five-run fourth inning. This performance accounted for the longest scoreless outing of Alexander's career to date.[183] In the finale, Houston nearly overcame a rough return by Spencer Arrighetti, out for nearly four months due to a fractured thumb. Houston went 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position as Miami won, 6–4.[184]
Carlos Correa delivered the game-winning single in the 10th inning of the series opener at Yankee Stadium. Former Yankee Taylor Trammell followed Correa with an insurance home run off new Yankee reliever Devin Williams. Over the final two innings, Josh Hader (6–2) shut down the Yankees offense to hold a 5–3 final score and earn the win.[185] In the second game, Trent Grisham clubbed the tie-breaking home run in the bottom of the eighth for New York off lefty Bryan King, before the Astros were shut down in ninth as New York won, 5–4.[186] In the finale, Astros starting pitcher Jason Alexander tossed 5+1⁄3 no-hit innings before ultimately departing with six scoreless and just one hit and a 4–0 Houston lead. Jose Altuve homered in both the first and third games, including the 250th of his career in the finale on August 10. Thus, he became the 17th major leaguer to reach both milestones of 250 home runs and 300 stolen bases. Correa added a home run in the ninth inning of the series finale before the Astros added two more runs to their lead and won, 7–1.[187]
Reunion Day. At Daikin Park, Correa played his first game as an Astro since departing in free agency following the 2021 season, Alex Bregman returned for the first time as a Boston Red Sock, and pitcher Cristian Javier made his return to the major leagues after 14 months since undergoing Tommy John surgery. In his first at bat against former teammate Javier, who last pitched on May 21, 2024, Bregman connected for a two-run home run into the Crawford Boxes for an early 2–0 lead. However, those were only runs that Javier allowed to cross the plate in five innings of work, including retiring 14 of the final 16 batters faced. Chas McCormick, after multiple stays on the injured list, homered in the fourth inning for his first in 11 months. Trade deadline acquisition Ramón Urías' first home run as an Astro provided the decisive margin as Houston held on for the win, 7–6, rendering Javier as the winning the pitcher. Reliever Héctor Neris reached 10 years of service time.[62] They were routed in the middle game, 14–1, but came back to claim the finale, 4–1, led by home runs from Jeremy Peña and Yainer Díaz. Hunter Brown kept the Red Sox' first 3 hitters at 0-for-11 to allow one run over 6+2⁄3 solid innings. [188]
On August 15, Orioles rookie starter Brandon Young tossed a masterpiece, including 7+2⁄3 innings with no baserunners, just four outs within a perfect game. Former teammate Ramón Urías' infield single spoiled the bid for history. In the finale, Jordan Westburg collected four hits and had a career-high 5 RBI, including a 3-run home run to lead a 12–0 Orioles barrage and series sweep. Starter Dean Kremer extended his mastery over the Astros with seven sharp innings. [189]
The Astros remained scoreless for the first 28 innings through the series finale at Comerica Park, when Mauricio Dubón homered against former Astros Charlie Morton. The Astros totaled 31 scoreless innings and along with being shut out over three consecutive games, feats not done against them since 1985. However, the Tigers exploited first-inning wildness from Framber Valdez and won the finale, 7–2, to sweep the series.[190]
In the opener, Jesús Sánchez snapped an 0-for-29 slump, hitting 5-for-5 to lead a 7–2 win over the Orioles and snap Houston's 4-game losing streak. Yainer Díaz and Christian Walker both had 2-run home runs for the Astros.[191] Walker also homered in a second and third consecutive games to lead Houston to win each of the first three games of the series. In the first inning on August 23, Carlos Correa, Jesús Sánchez and Victor Caratini all homered to post five runs. However, the Orioles answered with three in the bottom of the inning and kept making gains as the Astros scored in subsequent frames. AJ Blubaugh (2–1) delivered four crucial innings from the bullpen and gave up two runs to earn the win.[192] In the finale, Spencer Arrighetti had his best showing since returning from the injured list, including 15 in a row retired following an four hits in the first inning. John Rooney relieved Arrighetti for his major league debut and allowed a run over 1+1⁄3 innings. However, Gunnar Henderson and Luis Vázquez each cranked home runs for Baltimore, who rode yet another outstanding effort from starter Trevor Rogers to seize the win, 3–2.[193]
The Astros were ranked number 21 in the draft selection order.[203] Though the Boston Red Sox signed Alex Bregman, the Astros concurrently forfeited a second-round selection and a compensation pick after the fourth round due to signing a free agent who had received a qualifying offer—Christian Walker—and their status as a club that paid luxury tax penalties for the 2024 season.[204]
Corpus Christi starting pitcher José Fleury received Texas League Pitcher of the Month honors for April. He compiled a 2–0 W–L, 0.82 ERA, 5 walks, and 11 hits allowed in 22 innings over four starts. Beginning the season with 18+1⁄3 scoreless innings, he also held opponents to a .149 average.[229]
On May 10, 2025, Brice Matthews, playing for Sugar Land, hit for the cycle, the first of his career in professional baseball. He led a 12–7 win over the Salt Lake Bees and the cycle was the second in Space Cowboys franchise history.[230]
Another player hit for the cycle on May 13, 2025—this time by Colin Barber, an outfielder for Corpus Christi—to lead a 20–14 win against the Frisco RoughRiders at Riders Field. Meanwhile, Zach Cole hit a grand slam, a two-run home run and drove in career-best 8 runs. Cole's 8 RBI tied the Hooks' single-game club record.[231]
Miguel Ullola was credited with a 3–0 W–L, 1.17 ERA over 5 starts in the month of May, thus being named Pacific Coast League (PCL) Pitcher of the Month, his first monthly award in the PCL. The league leader for May in ERA and opponents' batting average (.175), he tossed 23 innings, allowed three runs, walked 13, and struck out 34.[233]
On July 3, Kenedy Corona stroked a walk-off single for Sugar Land, a 7–6 win versus the Round Rock Express in extra innings. In the bottom of the ninth, with Corona on base, Jesús Bastidas hit a game-tying 3-run home run off closer Craig Kimbrel. Down 6–0, it had been Sugar Land's largest comeback through that point in the season.[234]
↑ Opening Day was also Smith's major league debut.
↑ Surpassed Dallas Keuchel (2015–17) for most consecutive Opening Day starts by a left-hander for the Astros, and second-most overall in franchise history after Roy Oswalt (2003–10).[84]
↑ McCullers' 12 strikeouts equaled a career-high set on July 6, 2018, versus the White Sox.
↑ Prior to Caratini's at bat, the Astros had been 6-for-50 with the bases loaded, accounting for the lowest team batting average in the major leagues so far in 2025.
↑ Overall records for the entire season are presented—some minor leagues play a split season, with first-half and second-half results determining playoff participants.
↑ @astros (May 7, 2025). "Built for Fuel" (Tweet). Houston, TX. Retrieved May 25, 2025– via Twitter. Congratulations to Hunter Brown on winning the @MLBNetwork April Pitch Hand Award!
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