Houston Astros: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Ethan Pecko’s Debut Helps Astros Tie Franchise High for Starting Pitching Use

Wednesday evening against the Los Angeles Angels, Ethan Pecko took the bump for the first time in his Major League career as he suited up for the Houston Astros, looking to snap a three-game skid and avoid becoming a losing ballclub.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Who is Pitching for the Houston Astros? (August 20th)

Up to this point the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels have split this series 1-1. Both games have been low scoring affairs, with no more than four runs being scored in either.

MLB News / Field Level Media / August 19

Astros ride strong bullpen effort to victory over Angels

Christian Vazquez homered, Jose Altuve hit an RBI double during a two-run fourth inning, and a strong bullpen performance helped carry the Houston Astros to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.

Ethan Pecko News / Crawfish Boxes / August 19

Bullpen Shines as Astros Take Down Angels 3-2

For a few innings anyway, Ethan Pecko was the center of the Astros universe on Wednesday Night. Fortunately for Pecko, his bullpen mates were hovering

Tim Anderson 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 / 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.

Ethan Pecko News / Houston Astros on SI / August 19

Astros Make Ethan Pecko Debut Official With Houston Needing a Spark

It seemed like in the blink of an eye, the Houston Astros went from being in firm control of their playoff destiny to now risking falling under .500 and losing the top of the AL West altogether, which is low-lighted by their loss to the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday evening.

Houston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / August 19

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.

Joe Espada News / Houston Astros on SI / August 19

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.

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.

Trey Mancini 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

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.

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?

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / August 18

Astros To Select Top 10 Pitching Prospect to Make MLB Debut on Wednesday

The Houston Astros starting rotation has plenty of questions at the moment. It's a big issue for the team to deal with, and consistently not having an idea of who is going to be pitching on certain nights isn't sustainable for a team that has postseason hopes.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

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

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.

Yordan Alvarez News / The Lead / August 17

Yordan Alvarez Is Chasing All Kinds of History

In every 2026 American League MVP conversation, none mention Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. This season, one name has taken center stage, and nothing else has threatened it.

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?

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

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