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Astros vs. Marlins 3/15/2026 Spring Training Game Thread
The Houston Astros (8-10-3) host the Miami Marlins (8-10-2) in Grapefruit League play. RHP Cristian Javier is set to make his second start of the Grapefruit League. RHP Eury Perez will be on the mound for the Marlins. TODAY’S STARTER: RHP Cristian Javier is making his second start of the Grapefruit League this season. In […]
Astros vs. Mets 3/14/2026 Spring Training Game Thread
The Houston Astros (7-10-3) take on the New York Mets (10-7) in West Palm Beach in Grapefruit League play. RHP Ryan Weiss gets his first start of the Spring for Houston, opposed by RHP Freddy Peralta of New York. TONIGHT’S STARTER: Weiss is making his first start and third appearance of the Grapefruit League this season. In […]
Bullish Prediction by MLB Pipeline for Astros System in 2026
In a recent post by MLB Pipeline, they made predictions for every farm system heading into the 2026 season, and their outlook for the Houston Astros system was fairly bullish. The Astros enter the 2026 season without a Top 100 prospect on Pipeline’s list for the third time in the last five years, but that doesn’t mean the […]
Astros vs. Cardinals 3/13/2026 Spring Training Game Thread
The Houston Astros (7-9-3) travel to Jupiter, FL to face the St. Louis Cardinals (10-8-1) in Grapefruit League play. RHP Kai-Wei Teng gets his first start of the Spring for Houston, opposed by RHP Kyle Leahy of St. Louis. TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP Kai-Wei Teng is making his first start and fourth appearance this Spring and […]
In The Lab: A Look at Astros Reliever Numbers
We did this with the starters on Wednesday. We looked at six key numbers that can help us both explain why some pitchers succeed and some fail and hopefully help us predict progression or regression. Reliever numbers in particular are ver volatile. When you condense 180 innings into 50 or 60, you are going to […]
“If I’m the Astros, I don’t trade Paredes.” – Bob Nightengale on AREA 45 Sportsradio 610
In an interview Thursday March 12, longtime MLB insider Bob Nightengale had some direct statements regarding his thoughts on the 2026 Houston Astros. Thursday, longtime MLB reporter and insider Bob Nightengale joined AREA 45 on Sportsradio 610. He had a lot of thoughts on the state of the Houston Astros heading into the 2026 season. […]
Projecting the Astros Opening Day Roster 2.0
With the 2026 season opener two weeks away, most of the Astros’ Opening Day 26-man roster is coming into focus. A few spots, however, remain unsettled. After the signing of Christian Vázquez and the announcement that Josh Hader will start the season on the IL, here’s my second pass at how things could shake out: […]
Astros Top 3 Starters = A Division Winner?
The Law Firm of Brown, Burrows and Imai! We are so Back! The Houston Astros enter the season unlike any other in quite sometime. Astros fans don’t need a reminder of missing the Postseason in 2025. Also with a looming work stoppage and the CBA agreement set to expire Dec of this year. The time […]
Astros vs. Nationals 3/12/2026 Spring Training Game Thread
The Houston Astros (7-8-3) host the Washington Nationals (10-4-3) in Grapefruit League action. RHP Mike Burrows will make the start for the Astros, opposed by RHP Jake Irvin for the Nationals. TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP Mike Burrows, making his fourth start of the Spring, has been fantastic thus far, tossing 8.2 scoreless with 10 strikeouts, a […]
Astros News & Notes: Imai, Javier, McCullers, More
Tatsuya Imai said a small adjustment has helped him find more velocity this spring: SP Cristian Javier will be away from the team for a few days due to a personal matter: Brian McTaggart of MLB.com identifies 5 players he thinks have a good shot to make the Opening Day roster Lance McCullers Jr. on […]
Astros CL Josh Hader to start season on IL
Hader has missed most of Spring Training with biceps tendinitis. Houston Astros closer Josh Hader will begin the season on IL, according to a report by Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Hader, who missed the last 2 months on the 2025 season with a shoulder capsule strain, experienced biceps tendinitis while rehabbing and was shut down. […]
IMAI DAY! Astros vs. Marlins 3/11/2026 Spring Training Game Thread
The Houston Astros (6-8-3) travel to Jupiter, FL to take on the Miami Marlins (6-9-1). RHP Tatsuya Imai will be on the mound for the Astros, opposite RHP Max Meyer for the Marlins. TODAY’S STARTER: RHP Tatsuya Imai is set to make his third start of the Grapefruit League. In his last start on March […]
In The Lab: A Look at Starting Pitching Numbers
Every analyst has their favorite metrics and mine are usually the ones that can be used for pitchers and hitters. Some of the numbers point more to luck and some of them are underlying numbers that can help explain why someone is good or not. When we use those kinds of reciprocal numbers then what […]
Astros Injury Updates: Hader, Pena
Things may be progressing well for Astros closer Josh Hader, according to this update from Brian McTaggart: While it should still be considered unlikely Hader would be ready Opening Day, this update does indicate that if Hader has to start the season on IL, he could potentially only miss the minimum required time. Having Hader […]
Astros vs Orioles 3/10/2026 Spring Training Game Thread
The Houston Astros (5-8-3) host the Baltimore Orioles (7-8-2) in Grapefruit League play. RHP Lance McCullers Jr. is set to start for the Astros, with RHP Levi Wells starting for the Orioles. TODAY’S STARTER: This is Lance McCullers Jr.’s second appearance of the spring. He previously pitched one shutout inning on Feb 27 vs. the […]
Astros Roster Projections as of March 9
There’s some interesting decisions that have to be made. Where could the Astros be leaning as of today? This article updates my previous roster projection: https://www.crawfishboxes.com/houston-astros-analysis/72007/astros-2026-roster-and-depth-chart-projections-as-of-february-1 Let’s start with the rotation: Now, Arrighetti hasn’t been sharp, and his velocity hasn’t been consistent. He’s also only pitched twice, so there’s time. Weiss went 2.1 IP in […]
Opinion: The Astros Should Stop Overthinking It and Let Yordan Alvarez Play Left Field
At some point, the Houston Astros need to stop overthinking this and simply accept reality. Yordan Alvarez can play left field. And more importantly, if the Astros are serious about maximizing their championship window, they should let him. For years now, the organization has treated Alvarez with extreme caution defensively. The reasoning is obvious: he’s […]
Astros vs. Cardinals 3/9/2026 Spring Training Game Thread
The Houston Astros (4-8-3) host the St. Louis Cardinals (8-5-1) in Grapefruit League play. RHP Cristian Javier will get the start for the Astros opposite RHP Richard Fitts for the Cardinals. TODAY’S STARTER: RHP Cristian Javier is set to make his second start of the Spring and his first Grapefruit League start this year. He […]
Astros Prospects Spring Training Standouts
Baseball season is back, and spring training is in full swing. With that, there has been opportunities for prospects to play with the Major League club and show what they can do. While it’s still early, below are a few prospects that have stood out so far in Spring Training. Hitter – Walker Janek Janek was […]
In The Lab: Astros Right Field Offense
We finally get to the end of the positions on the hitting side of the equation. Keep in mind, we are trying to include all of the relevant candidates to be on the opening day roster. Fans and analysts alike sometimes forget the dimension of time. In other words, what the roster looks like on […]
Astros Spring Training Updates: Pena, Hader, Matthews, more…
As we hit the midpoint of Spring Training, here are some new developments and comments from Joe Espada on the current state of the Astros: SS Jeremy Pena is fielding grounders, but not throwing yet: RHP Jason Alexander has been optioned to minor league camp. CL Josh Hader will throw a bullpen soon. 2B Brice […]
Diesel Day! Astros vs. Nationals 3/8/2026 Spring Training Game Thread
The Houston Astros (4-7-3) take on the Washington Nationals (7-4-3) in Grapefruit League play. RHP Hunter Brown is set to make his third start of the Spring, with LHP Andrew Alvarez starting for the Nationals. BROTHER BROWN: RHP Hunter Brown, who is making his third start this Spring, established himself as one of the top […]
In The Lab: A New Look at the Backup Catcher Battle
As Patrick so ably reported to you yesterday, the Houston Astros have agreed to a minor league contract with Christian Vazquez with an invitation to Spring Training. Fortunately, he has been working out with team Puerto Rico, so he will not be coming in completely cold and presumably could reasonably build up enough plate appearances […]
New Backup Plan? Astros sign Catcher Christian Vazquez
Houston brings back a member of it’s 2022 World Series Champion team to back up Yainer Diaz. The Houston Astros finally addressed their backup catcher situation today, bringing back catcher Christian Vazquez on a minor league deal. Vazquez was a member of the Astros’ 2022 World Championship team, acquired at the deadline to boost catcher […]
Astros vs. Marlins 3/7/2026 Spring Training Game Thread
The Houston Astros (3-7-3) host the Miami Marlins (6-6) in Grapefruit League play. RHP Jason Alexander will make his third start of the Spring opposite RHP Chris Paddack for the Marlins. Isaac Paredes will make his first appearance at second base this spring. TODAY’S STARTER: Today will be the third start of the Spring for […]
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