Houston Astros: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

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.

Dana Brown News / Crawfish Boxes / August 17

In the lab: Putting Dana Brown under a microscope

Professional sports are a bottom line business and we run the risk of making things too simple. Entering the season it would fair to say that the playoffs were a litmus test on the 2026 for both Dana Brown and Joe Espada.

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?

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

Ronel Blanco News / Houston Astros on SI / August 17

Three Adjustments Ronel Blanco Needs to Become Reliable in MLB Again

The news was expected: The Astros sent Ronel Blanco to Triple-A Sugar Land and called up Miguel Ullola. Blanco, 32, was activated from the 60-day injured list to rejoin the Houston Astros rotation.

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.

Houston Astros News / NBC Sports / August 16

Watch: Mariners saw things 'come together' in series against Astros | Sunday Night Baseball | MLB on NBC

Ethan Pecko News / Crawfish Boxes / August 16

Could Ethan Pecko Get a Start for Astros This Week?

Unable to acquire a starting pitcher at the deadline, the Houston Astros may be looking to their farm system to help their struggling rotation. With SP

Houston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / August 16

Mike Burrows First Rehab Start a Success

Friday night, in his first affiliate rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land, Houston Astros starter Mike Burrows had a solid outing. Burrows went 4.1 IP scoreless on 3 hits and 1 walk.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / August 16

Astros’ Outfield Remains Question Mark Heading Into October

The Houston Astros expected to solve part of their most pressing offensive problem in the outfield after the trade deadline. They have not been able to do so.

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.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / August 15

Astros Struggling Outfielder Quietly Delivers Biggest At-Bat in 10 Inning Rally

It has been well-known since the offseason that the Houston Astros and Dana Brown needed to address some gaps in their roster. One particular area of concern was a left-handed-hitting outfielder.

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.

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.

MLB News / Field Level Media / August 15

Astros aim to stay on right path vs. reeling Mariners

The Houston Astros' opener of a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners served as a microcosm of Houston's up-and-down season. The Astros rallied from two different two-run deficits and also squandered a three-run lead before recording a 10-7 walk-off victory in 10 innings on Friday.

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

The 'Rookie passing leader by team' quiz

The '2008 Week 1 starting QBs' quiz

The 'Last 200-yard rusher by team' quiz

The 'Last batting title by MLB team' quiz

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.

Joe Espada News / MLB on ClutchPoints / August 13

Astros reporter’s Joe Espada truth bomb suggests his job is extremely safe

The Houston Astros have turned Joe Espada’s third season as manager from a potential crisis into another pennant race. Houston enters Thursday’s off day at 62-60, leading the American League West by 1.5 games over the Texas Rangers.

Houston Astros News / MLB on ClutchPoints / August 13

3 players who will make or break Astros’ chances of winning AL West

The Houston Astros enter the final 40 games atop the AL West, but their position carries little comfort. Houston is 62-60, only 1.5 games ahead of the Texas Rangers and 5.5 ahead of the Seattle Mariners.

Chicago Cubs 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

Jose Altuve News / Athlon Sports / August 12