TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (68-68) and New York Mets (61-75) will play the rubber match of this series this afternoon at Citi Field.
Rookie RHP Ethan Pecko (0-0, 7.88 ERA) will make his 3rd start of the season as he takes on Mets LHP Zac Thornton (3-4, 2.88 ERA).
ASTROS-METS: Since 2017, the Astros are 14-4 vs. the Mets, with a 5-2 mark here 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 323-264-1 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: Today is the finale of a 6-game road trip for the Astros (3-2 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.
YOUNG ETHAN: Tonight will be the 3rd ML start/ app. for 24-year-old rookie RHP Ethan Pecko, and his 2nd start on the current road trip. He also started the 1st game of the trip, which was Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, which was also his 24th birthday. He ended that start with no decision. Pecko was the Astros 6th-round pick in 2023 out of Towson University (MD).
YESTERDAY’S RECAP: The Astros were defeated by the Mets yesterday afternoon, 6-2. RHP Cristian Javier (1-5) took the loss in relief (4.1 IP, 3 ER). LHP Bennett Sousa served as the opener (0.2 IP, 1 ER). Yordan Alvarez drove in both of the Astros runs on the day, going 2×3 with a solo HR and a sacrifice fly. The Astros offense was held to just 4 hits.
MATCHING HIS BEST: Yesterday’s HR by Yordan Alvarez was his AL-leading 37th of the season, matching his career high, set 2022. His career-high in RBI is 104, set in 2021 (currently has an AL-best 93 RBI).
ROAD WARRIORS: Today is the finale of the Astros 6-game road trip (3-2 thus far). 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 34-24 (.586) on the road since April 14, which is 3rd-best in the AL in that span. More recently, they are 18-12 (.600) on their last 5 road trips combined (includes current trip). Overall for the season, HOU is 35-33 on the road.
ON THE OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank 1st in TB (1,870), 2nd in SLG (.409), T-2nd in HR (180), T-3rd in runs scored (618) and 4th in OPS (.725).
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 today leading the AL in batting avg. (.320), HR (37) and RBI (93). Additionally, Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.049), SLG (.613), OBP (.435) and is 2nd in TB (295).
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).
UP TO THE CHALLENGE: Astros hitters are 2nd in the AL in successful ABS challenges with 85. Their 54% success rate in challenges is T-1st in the AL. Among individual players, Jose Altuve’s 20 successful challenges are also T-1st in the 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 48-37 (.565) in their last 85 games (since May 22). That is the 2nd-best record in the AL in that span, behind only the Red Sox (52-35).
THE HIT MAN: Jose Altuve enters today’s game needing just 8 hits to reach 2,500 for his career. Among active players, his 2,492 hits rank 2nd to Freddie Freeman’s 2,582.
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.
HADERADE: With Friday night’s scoreless 9th inning, LHP Josh Hader extended his scoreless innings streak to 18.0 innings (17 app.). His is the longest streak by an Astros hurler this season and the 3rd-longest current streak in the Majors. Opponents are just 4×58 (.069) during the streak. Hader is also now 20-for-20 in save opportunities in 2026. Hader in August: 1-0, 12 G, 0.00 ERA, 13.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 15 SO.
ONE OF THE BEST: Double A Corpus Christi C/1B Jason Schiavone, who has 5 HR and 9 RBI in his last 5 games, has been one of the top players in minor league baseball in 2026. In his combined 107 games at Single A Asheville and Corpus, he leads the Astros system in HR (30) and RBI (80) while slashing .260/.398/.551 with a .949 OPS. Schiavone, who is 23, was selected by the Astros in the 11th round of the 2024 MLB Amateur Draft.
HOMEWARD BOUND: After today’s game, the Astros will return home to Houston for a 7-game homestand, during which they will face the White Sox (4g) and Diamondbacks (3g), respectively. The Astros are 2-1 thus far vs. CWS, and will be facing ARI for the 1st time in 2026.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1970 – In the Dome, the Astros touch up opposing starter Nolan Ryan for 3 HR en route to a 9-5 win over the visiting Mets. Jimmy Wynn leads with way, going 4-for5 with 2 HR and 5 RBI, with both HR coming off the future Hall of Famer. SS Denis Menke also has a big day with 2 HR and 3 RBI.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, August 30, 2:10 p.m. CT
Location: Citi Field, Queens, NY
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
