Houston Astros: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

What Astros’ Joe Espada Had to Say After Team Falls to .500

The Houston Astros' homestand has not gone the way the franchise has wanted whatsoever. Dropping two of three against the Seattle Mariners was difficult enough, given how close the AL West has become, but Tuesday night's loss might sting a little extra.

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The Astros’ fear of bad long-term contracts has led to bad short-term deals

Following the 2024 season, the Astros were unwilling to meet Alex Bregman’s price tag. Instead, they settled for a more modest option, signing Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million contract.

Ethan Pecko News / Houston Astros on SI / August 19

Astros Top Prospect Ethan Pecko Shares Humble Message Ahead of Major League Debut

One of the best aspects surrounding professional baseball is when a player works his way through the minor leagues to his debut, as some don't ever get the opportunity to take a major league field no matter how hard they work, but when that time does come, it sure is special.

Ethan Pecko News / New Baseball Media / August 19

What to Expect from Astros Pitcher Ethan Pecko

The Astros are ready to call up one of their better pitching prospects on August 19, as right-hander Ethan Pecko is scheduled to make his MLB debut. The move comes after what’s been a good overall year in Triple-A, one where he deftly navigated the PCL.

Los Angeles Angels News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Last batting title by MLB team' quiz

How many of the most recent batting champions for each MLB team can you name in five minutes?

The 'MLB 400-HR, 200-stolen bases' quiz

The 'Most multi-HR games by MLB team' quiz

The 'Most MLB All-Star Games' quiz

MLB News / Crawfish Boxes / August 18

Astros Offense Non-Existent in 3-1 Defeat to Angels

Tuesday Night marked the fifth time this season that the last place Angels defeated the Astros. Final Score LA 3 Houston 1 The Angels scored the first

MLB News / Yardbarker

Every first-overall MLB draft pick from the 21st century

The MLB Draft doesn’t get the same attention as the NFL Draft…or the NBA Draft…or even the NHL Draft. There’s the element of a stay in a farm system, the general lack of immediate impact for MLB draft picks, and the fact that it’s tougher for one MLB player to turn a franchise’s fortunes around.

MLB News / Crawfish Boxes / August 18

Astros vs. Angels Game Discussion: 8/18/2026

TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Astros, who own a 2.0-game lead in the AL West, will open a three-game series with the Angels tonight at Daikin Park. RHP Cristian Javier (1-3), who shut out the Angels in 5.0 innings of stellar relief last month, will get the start for the Astros tonight opposite Angels rookie RHP George Klassen (1 1).

Houston Astros News / Minor League Baseball on SI / August 18

Astros Reportedly Adding Top Pitching Prospect to Rotation for MLB Debut

The Houston Astros are reportedly preparing to tweak their starting pitching staff by turning to one of the organization's top prospects. Right-hander Ethan Pecko, Houston's No.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / August 18

Astros Go as Jeremy Peña Goes in 2026

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña’s recent offensive struggles have coincided with a downturn in the Astros season. Despite this cold stretch, Peña’s numbers over the last two seasons come out to the best among shortstops in the major leagues.

Cristian Javier News / Houston Astros on SI / August 18

Astros’ Cristian Javier Takes the Mound in Crucial Must-Win Start

The Houston Astros got a day off on Monday after a series loss to the Seattle Mariners to kick off the home stand. Now, the Astros turn their attention to another divisional opponent, the Los Angeles Angels, looking to get back into the win column.

MLB News / Yardbarker / August 18

Longtime Orioles player Trey Mancini retires after inspirational MLB career

Mancini has officially announced his retirement from MLB following his comeback with the Los Angeles Angels this season.

Carlos Rodon returns from IL as Yankees attempt to slow Orioles

Late rally lets Rays eke out series finale against Orioles

Orioles in playoff spot for first time since April — but will it last?

The 'Last batting title by MLB team' quiz

Houston Astros News / Just Baseball / August 18

Do the Astros Have Enough Pitching To Make a Run?

The Houston Astros were a team that many were questioning heading into the trade deadline. Would they sell? Did they even have the pieces to be buyers?

Athletics News / Yardbarker

The 20 greatest MLB teams to never win the World Series

Even the most successful regular-season teams in Major League Baseball have failed to win it all. Here's our list of 20 such clubs that fall into that category.

MLB News / Field Level Media / August 17

Astros' bullpen geared up for busy stretch that starts with Angels

When the Houston Astros host the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, they start a stretch of 15 games in 16 days. With the Astros clinging to a two-game lead in the American League's West Division, manager Joe Espada will have to deploy his bullpen judiciously to keep arms healthy enough to stay on track for the postseason.

Ethan Pecko News / MLB Trade Rumors / August 17

Astros To Select Ethan Pecko

The Astros will promote pitching prospect Ethan Pecko on Wednesday, reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The 23-year-old will make his MLB debut against the Angels in the second game of this week’s series.

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The 'NFL Playoffs rushing record' quiz

The 'NFL all-time receptions leaders' quiz

The 'Rookie passing leader by team' quiz

The '2008 Week 1 starting QBs' quiz

Joe Espada News / Houston Astros on SI / August 17

A Lot More Is Riding on 2026 for Astros Manager Joe Espada

Despite sitting atop the AL West standings, the Houston Astros' lead isn't as comfortable as they would like. After dropping two of three against the Seattle Mariners this weekend, the Astros are merely one game ahead of the .500 mark as the Los Angeles Angels come into town.

MLB News / TWSN / August 17

Yordan Alvarez’s 2026 Season Rivals Miguel Cabrera’s Triple Crown Run

Yordan Alvarez is having the type of season that forces you to talk about him in the same breath as the greatest hitters the American League has ever seen. When a player’s numbers place him alongside Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson, Carl Yastrzemski, and Miguel Cabrera, it is not a marketing push or a fun statistical coincidence.

Houston Astros News / Just Baseball / August 17

Has the American League MVP Already Been Decided?

Even though there is still over a month left in the regular season with Postseasons battles becoming more evident, has Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez already secured the title for American League Most Valuable Player?

MLB News / Field Level Media / August 16

Astros have pitchers aplenty available against Mariners

With two off days framing their series against the Seattle Mariners, the Astros had three starters in the bullpen for the weekend: right-handers Ronel Blanco, Tatsuya Imai and Cristian Javier.

Christian Walker News / MLB on ClutchPoints / August 15

Astros first baseman Christian Walker’s awesome reaction to 3-run walk off HR vs. Mariners

The Houston Astros had one of their most dramatic victories of the season Friday night, and Christian Walker delivered the final punch. His three-run walk-off homer capped a five-run 10th inning and lifted the Astros to a 10-7 win over the Seattle Mariners at Daikin Park.

Christian Walker News / Field Level Media / August 15

Christian Walker's walk-off HR caps Astros' 10th-inning rally vs. M's

Christian Walker blasted a three-run, walk-off homer as the Houston Astros answered a three-run rally by the Seattle Mariners with a five-run 10th inning en route to a wild 10-7 victory on Friday.

MLB News / Larry Brown Sports / August 14

Yordan Alvarez puts an end to George Kirby's wild streak against Astros

Yordan Alvarez was not going to let the Houston Astros’ home run futility against George Kirby continue any longer.

Giants to host 2028 All-Star Game

Chase Burns fires seven shutout innings as Reds edge Marlins

Alex Rodriguez calls out Yankees front office after trade deadline

Three moments that defined the 2026 Field of Dreams Game

Why MLB has missed the whole point of Field of Dreams

Jose Altuve News / Viral Sports News / August 14

Astros Make Jose Altuve Announcement Amid Injury Concern

The Houston Astros head into a pivotal three-game weekend series against the Seattle Mariners with welcome news on the injury front. Second baseman Jose Altuve is back in the lineup for Friday’s series opener after missing time with a left foot injury sustained earlier in the week.

Alex Bregman News / Yardbarker / August 13

Cubs' Alex Bregman joins exclusive list with performance vs. Nationals

On a night when Pete Crow-Armstrong went only 1-for-6, another Chicago Cubs player carried the team to victory in the middle game of their series with the Washington Nationals.

Alex Bregman's three homers, seven RBIs power Cubs past Nationals

The 'MLB active hit leaders' quiz