TODAY’S FINALE: The Houston Astros (80-81) conclude the 2026 regular season with the final game of a four-game series against the Athletics (64-97) at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, CA.
Astros RHP Peter Lambert (8-10, 3.87 ERA) will be on the mound, opposite RHP Seth Johnson (1-0, 6.19 ERA) and the Athletics.
THE LAMBO: RHP Peter Lambert has been the most consistent starter for the Astros this season, as he leads the club in wins (8), starts (28), innings pitched (153.2) and strikeouts (153).
He’s allowed two-or-fewer earned runs in 19 of his 28 starts on the year and has done so in 11 of his last 15 starts.
THE POSTSEASON CHASE: The Astros and Rangers are locked in a tight race down the stretch for the AL West with the two teams having the same record with one games left to play. The Astros own the tiebreaker over the Rangers with a season series victory (9-4 record).
CLINCH SCENARIO: The Astros can clinch the AL West division today with a win against the Athletics or a loss by Rangers against the Twins.
VS. THE ATHLETICS: This is the final series between the Astros and Athletics this season, with the two clubs last seeing each other from Aug. 21-23 at Daikin Park. The Astros have gone 6-6 vs. the Athletics this season. The Astros also own an overall regular season record of 126-112 against the Athletics, including a 61-61 record on the road.
ROAD WARRIORS: Today is the final game of a six-game road trip for the Astros. Since going 1-9 on the first road trip of the 2026 season, the Astros have gone 40-30 (.571) on the road since April 14, which ranks third in the AL in that span, behind the Red Sox (43-28) and the Yankees (42-30).
LAST NIGHT’S GAME: The Astros defeated the Athletics, 13-2 at Sutter Health Park last night. RHP Hayden Wesneski allowed two runs (one earned run) on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts in seven innings. SS Jeremy Peña (4×6, 4 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI) recorded his fourth multi-homer game of the season. The Astros offense combined for 16 hits.
GOIN’ DEEP: The Astros have hit 225 homers as a team this year, which is the most in the Majors. The last time the Astros led the Majors in home runs was in 2000, when they hit 249 home runs. TWO-OUT MAGIC: The Astros lead the American League in two-out runs with 320 on the season, trailing only the Cubs (332) in the Majors…3B Isaac Paredes leads this effort, as he holds the Major League lead with 46 two-out RBI, directly ahead of STL 1B Alec Burleson (45 RBI). THE FIREMAN: LHP Josh Hader has converted 26 consecutive save chances to open his season, which is the Astros record…should Hader finish the season without a blown save, he would become the seventh pitcher in MLB history to post 26-plus saves without a blown save…the last Major Leaguer to do so was RHP Ken Giles in 2018 (26 SV).
THE CASE FOR THE MVP: DH Yordan Alvarez is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award…Alvarez leads the American League in OPS (1.036), slugging percentage (.604), OBP (.432), batting average (.316), total bases (340), walks (109), IBB (33), wRC+ (180), OPS+ (189) and extra-base hits (77)…he also ranks second in home runs (42), second in RBI (105), second in hits (178), fourth in doubles (34) and fourth in runs (104). BATTING TITLE: DH Yordan Alvarez enters today’s game leading the American League in batting average…he is looking to become the third player in franchise history to earn a batting title, joining 1B Yuli Gurriel (2021) and 2B Jose Altuve (2014, 2016-17). YORGONE: DH Yordan Alvarez launched his 42nd home run of the season last night at ATH…his 42 home runs are tied for the fifth most in Astros franchise history.
Astros Most Home Runs – Single Season 1. J. Bagwell: 47 HR (2000) 2. L. Berkman: 45 HR (2006) 3. R. Hidalgo 44 HR (2000) 4. J. Bagwell 43 HR (1997)
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Last night’s victory was the 255th win for Astros Manager Joe Espada surpassing Hal Lanier for the ninth-most managerial wins in Astros franchise history…Espada owns a 255-229 record with the Astros. ANNUAL HOUSTON BBWAA AWARDS: On Thursday, the Houston BBWAA Chapter Chairman Chandler Rome (The Athletic) announced the 2026 Houston BBWAA Awards: Astros MVP: Yordan Alvarez Astros Pitcher of the Year: Peter Lambert Astros Rookie of the Year: AJ Blubaugh Darryl Kile Good Guy Award: Bryan Abreu Fred Hartman Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball Award: Brent Strom THAT BOY BLU: RHP AJ Blubaugh leads MLB relievers with 96.0 innings, with MIL LHP Aaron Ashby (87.0 IP) the next closest…is seeking to become the 1st Astros pitcher to lead their league in innings since RHP Doug Jones in 1992 (111.2 IP)… his 96.0 innings this season are the most by an Astros reliever since RHP Octavio Dotel tossed 97.1 innings in 2002. STRONG SEPTEMBERS: 3B Isaac Paredes has a 1.026 OPS this month to go along with a team-leading 21 RBI, which ranks tied for second in the AL…C Yainer Diaz is also having a strong September, as he’s hitting .354 (28×79) with four homers, 11 RBI and a .960 OPS in 22 games (19 starts) this month. POSTSEASON CREDENTIALS: All media who wish to cover potential Astros postseason home games in the Wild Card Series and ALDS must apply for credentials on MLB’s credentialing system…the events are now open with a deadline set for Sunday, Sept. 27…ALCS and World Series credential applications are also live online. RACKING UP K’S: RHP Bryan Abreu has posted 528 career strikeouts, which ranks fourth among relievers in Astros history…he’s closing in on third-place RHP Dave Smith (529), needing only one strikeout to match the Astros reliever from the 1980s…LHP Billy Wagner (694) and RHP Brad Lidge (557) sit atop that all-time list.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1967 – In a classic, 11-inning pitchers duel in the Dome, both starting pitchers go the distance, with the Astros coming out on top over the Phillies, 1-0…LHP Mike Cuellar tallies 12 K’s in his 11.0 shutout innings…Phillies starter Jim Bunning allows just one run in his 10.2 innings of work…1B Chuck Harrison singles home RF Rusty Staub to give the Astros the walkoff win. 1964 – Fittingly, Jimmy Wynn is the hero in the finlal game played at Colt Stadium as he drives home Rusty Staub in the 12th inning for a 1-0, walkoff win over the Dodgers… Colts RHP Bob Bruce hurls all 12.0 innings to earn the win, outdueling RHP Don Drysdale, who hurled 10.0 scoreless frames.
