TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros
(67-67) and New York Mets (60-74) begin a 3-game series tonight at Citi Field.RHP Hunter Brown (3-3, 3.51 ERA) will start for the Astros vs. Mets RHP Christian Scott (4-3, 3.73 ERA).
ASTROS-METS: Since 2017, the Astros are 13-3 vs. the Mets, with a 4-1 mark at Citi Field. They took 2 of 3 from NYM in their last visit to Citi Field, June 28-30, 2024.
Common Bond: The Astros and Mets both entered the Major Leagues in 1962, with both clubs competing in the NL at that
time (HOU moved to the AL in 2013). Both clubs have won two World Series Championships and five pennants. The Astros hold the edge in the all-time regular season series with a 322-263-1 record, while the Mets were victorious in the one postseason series between the two clubs, taking the 1986 NLCS in what was a thrilling, 6-game series.
NY STATE OF MIND: Tonight is the 4th game of a 6-game road trip for the Astros (2-1 thus far), with all 6 games being scheduled in the Big Apple. Prior to the current series vs. NYM, the Astros took 2 of 3 from the Yankees in the Bronx (Tues-Thur).
Last Time It Happened: The Astros had a similar road trip in NYC, June 23-29 of 2022, during which they played 4 games at Yankee Stadium (2-2) and 2 games at Citi Field (2-0), respectively.
BROTHER BROWN: Tonight will be the 15th start of the season for RHP Hunter Brown. In his last 6 starts, he has posted a 2.88 ERA (11ER/34.1IP), pitching through the 5th inning in all 6 starts.
First Time: Tonight will be Brown’s 1st career app. at Citi Field and his 3rd career start/app. vs. the Mets (0-2 thus far). Brown missed over 2 months dur to lengthy stint on the Injured List (April 1-June 15)earlier this season due to a right shoulder strain.
2025: Last season, Brown finished 3rd in the AL Cy Young Award voting after posting a 12-9 record with a 2.43 ERA and 206 K’s in 185.1 IP.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP: The Astros won last night’s rubber match of their 3-game series at Yankee Stadium, 5-1. RHP Hayden Wesneski (4-1) was solid, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits in 5.0 innings of work. The Astros bullpen combined to hurl 4.0 shutout innings following Wesneski. Christian Walker had a banner day on offense, going 3×4 with a HR and 2 RBI. Isaac Paredes (2×4, RBI) and Jeremy Peña (solo HR) also contributed on offense.
BIG WES: With last night’s win, in his last 2 starts, RHP Hayden Wesneski has now allowed just 1 run and 4 hits in 10.0 IP. Wesneski, who missed the 1st 4 months of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, has pitched through the 5th inning in 5 of his 6 starts and has had a decision on 5 of those 6 starts (4-1).
UP TO THE CHALLENGE: Astros hitters are tied with the Yankees and Reds for the most successful ABS challenges in the Majors, all with 84. The Astros 55% success rate is T-2nd in the AL. Among individual players, Jose Altuve’s 20 successful challenges are T-1st in the AL.
ON THE OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank 1st in SLG (.412), 2nd in HR (179), 3rd in runs scored (613) and T-3rd in OPS (.729).
TRIPLE THREAT: Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently leads the AL in several categories, including all three Triple Crown categories. He enters tonight leading the AL in batting avg. (.319) and HR (36) and T-1st in RBI (91). Additionally, Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.044), SLG (.609), OBP (.434) and TB (290).
Rare Feat: Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown winner in the Majors, Miguel Cabrera in 2012 (AL).
MEASURING UP: The Astros are 25-14 (.641) vs. teams currently at .500 or above. Some clubs that they have winning records against include BOS (5-1), CHC (3-0), CWS (2-1), CLE (4-2), MIA (3-0), and TB (2-1). HOU is 9-4 vs. TEX, who are in 2nd place in the AL West.
SLOW AND STEADY RECOVERY: Since starting the season with a 20-31 record after 51 games, the Astros are 47-36 (.566) in their last 83 games (since May 22). That is the 2nd-best record in the AL in that span, behind only the Red Sox (51-33).
ROAD WARRIORS: Since posting a 1-9 record on the 1st road trip of the 2026 season, the Astros have been one of the best road teams in the Majors. They are 33-23 (.589) on the road since April 14, which is 3rd-best in the AL in that span. More recently, they are 17-11 (.607) on their last 5 road trips combined (includes current trip)…overall for the season, HOU is 34-32 on the road.
THE HIT MAN: Jose Altuve enters tonight’s game needing just 10 hits to reach 2,500 for his career. Among active players, his 1,490 hits rank 2nd to Freddie Freeman’s 2,579.
IN GOOD COMPANY: In MLB history, Altuve is one of just 3 players with a .300 career batting avg. to reach both 250 HR and 300 SB. The other 2 are HOFers Willie Mays and Derek Jeter.
WALK OF FAME: Yordan Alvarez’s ML-high 28 intentional walks this season are a franchise record. Jeff Bagwell had held the club record with 27 IBB in 1997. Alvarez was intentionally walked 3 times on Sunday vs. ATH.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Recently, Joe Espada moved into the top 10 in wins by an Astros manager. Currently at 242-215, he needs 13 more wins to pass Hal Lanier (254-232) to move into sole possession of 9th place on the Astros all-time managerial wins list.
NEW ADDITION: Former Astros pitching coach Brent Strom will join the Astros in NY today to begin his new role as a pitching consultant. Strom served as the Astros pitching coach from 2014-21 as well as in 1996.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2023 – Jose Altuve hits for the cycle during in a 13-5 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. He ends up 4×6 on the night with a double, single, triple and HR, respectively. He also drives in 4 runs. Not to be outdone, Yordan Alvarez goes 4×4 with a HR and 4 RBI.
2000 – Catcher Tony Eusebio hits safely in his 24th consecutive game, which was, at the time, the longest hitting streak in franchise history. Impressively, Eusebio’s streak spanned from July 9-Aug. 28. Six years later, Willy Taveres would set a new franchise record with a 30-game hit streak.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, August 28, 6:10 p.m. CT
Location: Citi Field, Queens, NY
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
