Astros vs. Twins Game Thread: Game 51, 5/20/2026

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 15: Isaac Paredes #15 of the Houston Astros is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on May 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros

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TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (20-30) and Minnesota Twins

(22-27) will play the rubber match of this 3-game series this afternoon at 12:40 p.m. CT.

RHP Mike Burrows (2-5, 5.72 ERA) will make his 10th start of the season as he takes on Twins RHP Joe Ryan (2-3, 3.20 ERA).

ABOUT BURROWS: RHP Mike Burrows is making his club-leading 10th start of the season this afternoon and his 2nd career start/app. vs. MIN (other was at Target Field as well). He took the loss in his last start on 5/14 vs. SEA (5 IP,

7 ER). Prior to that start, had posted a 2.50 ERA (5ER/18IP) over a 3-start span.

VS. THE TWINS: The Astros have won 6 of their last 8 games vs. the Twins. HOU was 5-1 vs. MIN last season, going 3-0 at home and 2-1 here at Target Field.

The Astros won 2 of 3 in their last visit to Target Field, April 3-6 of 2025 and then later swept MIN in a 3-game series at Daikin Park, June 13-15.

Since 2021, the Astros are 10-6 at Target Field and 19-14 vs. MIN overall.

IN THE DAYTIME: Today is the 1st of 4 consecutive scheduled day games for the Astros.

All 3 games this weekend at Wrigley Field are scheduled to be day games. The last time that the Astros have played 4 consecutive day games was April 2-6 of last season (source: Elias).

ROADIES: Today is the 2nd game of a 10-game, 3-city road trip for the Astros.

After this 3-game set at MIN, they will visit Chicago for a 3-game series at Wrigley Field (Fri.-Sun.) vs. the Cubs and then travel back to Texas for a 4-game series vs. the Rangers at Globe Life Field (Mon.-Thurs).

ROADWORK: The Astros have been the AL’s top hitting team on the road in 2026. Entering today’s game, HOU leads the AL in road batting avg. (.272), OPS (.764), SLG (.422) and OBP (.342).

ROAD WARRIOR: In his young career, Brice Matthews has had success hitting on the road, as he enters today with a .282 (22×78) career avg. in 25 road games with 6 HR and 20 RBI with a .577 SLG and a .944 OPS.

In 2026, he is hitting .296 (16×54) on the road with 2 HR and an .881 OPS.

CLOSE CALLS: With last night’s win, the Astros are now 4-2 in 1-run games and 8-8 in 2-run games.

JAKE’S RETURN: Last night, Jake Meyers went 1×3 in what was his 1st game following a stint on the Injured List due to a right oblique strain (4/9-5/18, missed 36 games).

Traveling Well: Meyers is now 6×21 (.286) on the road this season after leading the Majors in road batting avg. last season with a .350 clip (min. 200 PA).

EE-SOCK: Last night’s HR for Isaac Paredes was #97 in his career. He needs 3 more HR to become the 4th MLB player born in Mexico to reach 100 career HR.

BRYAN’S SONG: After a slow start to his season, RHP Bryan Abreu has not allowed a run in his last 6 outings, covering 6.0 IP (3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 SO).

In his last 8 appearances, Abreu has posted a 1.12 ERA (1ER/8.0IP) with 9 K’s.

THE BIG OH: LHP Steven Okert punched out all 3 batters that he faced last night, giving him 7 K’s in his last 3.1 IP (3 app.). He has not allowed a run in his last 5 app. (5.1 IP).

AIR YORDAN: Yordan Alvarez is batting .309 with 11 doubles, 15 HR, 31 RBI and a 1.038 OPS (.419 OBP/.619 SLG).

In the AL, he ranks first in total bases (112), 2nd in OPS and SLG (.619), 3rd in OBP (.419), T-4th in HR and 4th in batting avg.

ON THE LEADER BOARD: As a club, the Astros currently lead the AL in hits (417) while ranking 2nd in OPS (.733) and SLG (.409) and 3rd in HR (60).

WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER: 1B Christian Walker is among the AL leaders in several offensive categories. He is 2nd on the club in HR (11) and T-1st in RBI (31).

Among the AL leaders, Walker ranks T-8th in RBI (31), T-10th in HR (11), 9th in total bases (90) and 11th in SLG (.500).

RECENT ROSTER MOVES: Yesterday, the Astros made the following roster moves:

-Placed RHP Lance McCullers Jr. on the 15-day Injured List due to right shoulder inflammation.

-Reinstated OF Jake Meyers from the 10-day Injured List.

-Reinstated RHP Nate Pearson from the 15-day Injured List.

-Optioned IF Shay Whitcomb to Triple A Sugar Land.

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1978 – J.R. Richard and Jose Cruz have banner days, leading the Astros to a 13-0 win over the Braves in the Dome. Richard hurls a 4-hit, complete game shutout with 8 strikeouts. Jose Cruz goes 4×5 with a HR and 6 RBI.