TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros
(44-47) will conclude their six-game homestand today with another rubber game, this time opposite the top team in the AL, the Tampa Bay Rays (52-44).RHP Peter Lambert (6-5, 3.51 ERA) will get the start for Houston as he looks to secure the series win opposite the Rays, who will start an opener in RHP Mason Englert (0-1, 3.96 ERA).
RIDING THE LAMBO: Today’s starter RHP Peter Lambert, who was a minor league free agent signing this offseason, has posted a 4-1 record in his last
seven starts dating back to May 24, which ties him for fourth in the AL in wins in that span.
Lambert pitched last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 appearances in Japan.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: With a win today, the Astros would win the series, which would secure them six series victories in their last seven chances. Prior to the Astros losing two of three to the Twins earlier this week, the club had won five straight series from June 12-28, their longest streak in 2026.
WINNING THE CLOSE CALLS: The Astros are 9-5 in one-run games and 20-11 in two-run games. Each of the Astros last eight wins and 13 of their last 14 victories have come by two-or-fewer runs.
GET ‘EM EARLY: The Astros lead the AL in 1st inning runs with 63 runs scored in their 91 games. Overall, the Astros rank fifth in the American League in runs scored (411), while the Rays check in ranking seventh in the AL with 396 runs scored.
LAST NIGHT’S W: Trailing 6-2 early, the Astros rallied back for a 10-8 win over the Rays which ended on a walkoff homer by DH Yordan Alvarez (3×4, 2HR, 6RBI) in the 9th. 2B Jose Altuve (2×3, 3R) and C Yainer Diaz (1×4, HR, 2RBI) chipped in on the offensive side. LHP Josh Hader (0ER/1IP) pitched a scoreless 9th for his 3rd win of the season.
WALK-OFF FIREWORKS: DH Yordan Alvarez hit his second career regular season walk-off homer last night, with the other also coming on the Fourth of July in 2022 vs. KC. He is the first player in MLB history with two career walk-off homers on July 4.
FIREWORKS ON THE 4TH: The Astros have won on the Fourth of July for nine consecutive seasons (since 2016), which is the longest active streak in the Majors. Per Elias, only three other teams in Major League history have won nine consecutive game on July 4th, the Indians (13 straight, 1916-1923), the White Sox (14 straight, 1934-1941) and the Pirates (9 straight, 1901-1905).
TODAY’S TELECAST: Peacock and the NBC network will televise every game across Major League Baseball today, including the Astros-Rays game from Houston. Todd Kalas, Doug Waechter, and Julia Morales will be on the call for Peacock today.
ALL-STAR ALVAREZ: Major League Baseball announced yesterday that DH Yordan Alvarez was voted by the fans as the starting designated hitter for the American League All-Star team. This marks the fourth All-Star selection for Alvarez (2022-24, 2026) and the second time that he has been voted as a starter (also in 2024).
MVP-CALIBER: DH Yordan Alvarez has had a torrid first half to his season, currently leading all of baseball in OPS (1.078), OBP (.433), SLG (.645), RBI (67), and total bases (207). Additionally, he ranks first in the AL in extra-base hits (45), first in homers (29), first in hits (104), first in runs (62), second in batting average (.324), and fourth in walks (59).
THE LONG BALL LIST: DH Yordan Alvarez has hit 199 career home runs, needing just one homer to become the sixth player in franchise history to reach the 200-homer plateau.
All-time Homers in Astros History
1. Jeff Bagwell: 449
2. Lance Berkman: 326
3. Craig Biggio: 291
4. Jose Altuve: 263
5. Jimmy Wynn: 223
6. Yordan Alvarez: 199
PEN PALS: Since May 15 the Astros are 27-19 thanks in part to their bullpen, which has posted the lowest ERA in the AL in that span at 2.63 (51ER/174.1P). Since that date, that group has been led by LHP Josh Hader (0.64 ERA), LHP Bryan King (0.89 ERA), LHP Steven Okert (1.57 ERA) and RHP AJ Blubaugh (1.78 ERA).
WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader is 3-0 with eight saves (in eight chances) and a 0.64 ERA (1ER/14IP) in 14 appearances. He has 22 strikeouts in his 14.0 innings with a .045 (2×44) opponent average and a 0.57 WHIP. Hader has not allowed a hit in seven consecutive appearances (7IP since June 21).
OUT ON ASSIGNMENT: The Astros have three starters on minor league rehab assignments:
• RHP Ronel Blanco (rt. elbow surgery) last started on Wednesday for Double A Corpus Christi at NW Arkansas (2ER/4.1IP), tossing 60 pitches (45 strikes). He is expected to make his next rehab start on Tuesday.
• RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (rt. shoulder inflammation) last started on Wednesday for Triple A Sugar Land at OKC (1ER/4IP), tossing 60 pitches (41 strikes). He is expected to make his next rehab start on Tuesday.
• RHP Hayden Wesneski (rt. elbow surgery) began a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday for the FCL Astros (0ER/3IP), tossing 25 pitches. He is expected to start today for Corpus Christi.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1985 – In a 4-2 win over Montreal, OF José Cruz drives in two runs to set what was then a franchise record for career RBI with 783. He would finish his Astros career with 942 RBI, which currently ranks fourth in club history, behind 1B Jeff Bagwell (1529), 2B Craig Biggio (1175) and 1B Lance Berkman (1090). 2B Jose Altuve ranks fifth all time on that list with 911 RBI.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, July 5, 2:30 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Peacock
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
