2018 Houston Astros season
57th season in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros
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The 2018 Houston Astros season was the 57th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 54th as the Astros, sixth in both the American League (AL) and AL West division, and 19th at Minute Maid Park. The first-time-ever defending World Series champions with a four-games-to-three decision over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston also won their first AL pennant and AL West division title. Their 101–61 record was the second 100-win regular season in franchise history.
| 2018 Houston Astros | |
|---|---|
| American League West champions | |
| |
| League | American League |
| Division | West |
| Ballpark | Minute Maid Park |
| City | Houston, Texas |
| Record | 103–59 (.636) |
| Divisional place | 1st |
| Owners | Jim Crane |
| General managers | Jeff Luhnow |
| Managers | A. J. Hinch |
| Television | AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Todd Kalas, Geoff Blum) |
| Radio | Sportstalk 790 Houston Astros Radio Network (Robert Ford, Steve Sparks, Geoff Blum) KLAT (Spanish) (Francisco Romero, Alex Treviño) |
| Stats | ESPN.com Baseball Reference |
Houston began the season on March 29 against their in-state rivals, the Texas Rangers, as ace Justin Verlander made his first Opening Day start as a member of the Astros. George Springer recorded the first six-hit performance during a nine-inning game in franchise history on May 7. Verlander recorded his 2,500th career strikeout on May 16, becoming the 33rd pitcher in MLB history to achieve the feat. From May 25–27, Jose Altuve recorded a base hit in each of 10 consecutive at bats, breaking his own club record. In the amateur draft, the Astros' first round selection was first baseman Seth Beer at 28th overall, and in the third round, shortstop Jeremy Peña.
The Astros once again sent a league-high six players to the 2018 All-Star Game, including third baseman Alex Bregman, second baseman Altuve, outfielder Springer, and pitchers Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton. A. J. Hinch was manager for the American League. Bregman was recognized with the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award (MVP), the first Houston Astro so named. The Astros were recognized with the Best Team ESPY Award based on their play since the previous June. On August 19, Verlander became the 114th Major League pitcher—and second Astro—to record 200 career victories.
The Astros concluded the regular season on September 30 against the Baltimore Orioles, capping off an unprecedented second consecutive 100-win season and AL West championship. With a 103–59 record, this surpassed the 1998 club for the most regular-season wins in franchise history, which was exceeded the following year. This was the 12th postseason qualification and ninth division title overall in franchise history. Houston pitching combined to establish new MLB records with 1,687 strikeouts, 96 games with 10 or more strikeouts, and became the first team in history to strike out 5 or more batters in each of 162 games.
Houston swept the Cleveland Indians in the American League Division Series (ALDS) to advance to the American League Championship Series (ALCS), where they lost in five games to the Boston Red Sox.
Following the season, Altuve won his fifth consecutive Silver Slugger Award, and pitcher Dallas Keuchel won his fourth Gold Glove Award. Additionally, Verlander, who led the league with 290 strikeouts, and also had a 16–9 W–L, and 2.52 earned run average (ERA), finished as runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award for the second time in three years, and built upon a late-career renaissance.
Offseason
Summary
The Houston Astros entered the 2018 Major League Baseball season as defending World Series champions after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. In addition to achieving their first-ever World Series championship, they claimed both their first American League (AL) pennant and AL West division championship. Center fielder George Springer was named the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP)[1][2] and right-handed starting pitcher Justin Verlander was the American League Championship Series (ALCS) MVP.[3] A number of regular season and multiple-sport awards went to second baseman Jose Altuve, including the AL MVP,[4] Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year,[5] Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year,[6] and The Sporting News Major League Player of the Year awards, among others.[7]
To commemorate their World Series victory, on January 9, the Astros commenced a 100-day celebration at the State Capitol in Austin, displaying the Commissioner's Trophy. Governor Greg Abbott attended.[8]
On January 23, 2018, first baseman Jon Singleton and pitcher Dean Deetz were suspended after testing positive for substances violating MLB's drug policy. Singleton, a former Astros' number-one prospect, had tested positive for the third time and was banned for 100 games.[9]
Transactions
- November 2, 2017: The following players became free agents at the conclusion of the World Series:[10]
- Carlos Beltrán (DH): Announced retirement from playing career on November 13, 2017.[11][12]
- Tyler Clippard (RHP): Signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Luke Gregerson (RHP): Signed two-year, $11 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, with a vesting option for the 2020 season, on December 13, 2017.[13]
- Francisco Liriano (LHP): Signed one-year, $4 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.[14]
- Cameron Maybin (OF): Signed one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Miami Marlins
- December 13: Signed free agent right-handed relief pitcher Joe Smith to a two-year contract worth $14 million.[15]
| Arbitration-eligible players | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Trades | ||||||
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Regular season
Summary
March—April
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| Opening Day starting lineup | ||
|---|---|---|
| Uniform | Player | Position |
| 4 | George Springer | Right fielder |
| 2 | Alex Bregman | Third baseman |
| 27 | Jose Altuve | Second baseman |
| 1 | Carlos Correa | Shortstop |
| 9 | Marwin González | First baseman |
| 22 | Josh Reddick | Left fielder |
| 11 | Evan Gattis | Designated hitter |
| 6 | Jake Marisnick | Center fielder |
| 16 | Brian McCann | Catcher |
| 35 | Justin Verlander | Pitcher |
| Venue: Globe Life Park • Final: Houston 4, Texas 1 | ||
Justin Verlander was the Opening Day starting pitcher for Houston at Globe Life Park in Arlington, versus Cole Hamels of the Texas Rangers. It was Verlander's tenth career Opening Day start and first with Houston, as all nine previous had come as a member of the Detroit Tigers.[24] George Springer led the game off with a home run, becoming the first MLB player to lead off with a home run in consecutive Opening Days. He had homered off Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners in the first inning of Opening Day 2017 at Minute Maid Park;[25] the blast was the 100th home run of Springer's career.[26] Verlander pitched six shutout innings and struck out five. The Astros won by a final score of 4–1.[27] This victory was the sixth in catenation on Opening Day for Houston, topping the club record of five from 1972 to 1977. This winning streak extended to ten through 2022,[28] also tying an all-time Major League record established by the Boston Beaneaters, from 1887 to 1896.[29]
On April 3, the Astros conferred World Series rings to players and coaching staff during a pre-game ceremony, and, on April 5, to team employees, including one to groundskeeper Willie Berry, the team's longest tenured employee. The team awarded 1,332 totals rings and paid the associated taxes for those presented to the employees. Berry had started with the Astros in 1970 as a janitor.[30]
On April 13, Gerrit Cole struck out a then-career high 14.[31] George Springer (3) homered twice off Cole Hamels of the Texas Rangers. During the top of the seventh inning, Gerrit Cole yielded home runs to Joey Gallo (4) and Robinson Chirinos (1), and departed to a 2-all tie. In the bottom of the eighth, Derek Fisher scored on Marwin González' base hit and error by center fielder Drew Robinson. Joe Smith (1–0) locked down the final out of the top of the eighth for the 3–2 victory, and Chris Devenski struck out the side in the top of the ninth to convert the save (1). Houston pitching totaled 17 whiffs.[32]
On April 14, Charlie Morton tied his career-high with 12 strikeouts over 6 innings, having last done so April 28, 2017.[33]
Second baseman Jose Altuve reached 1,000 games played in his career on April 17, 2018, versus the Mariners. He became the 20th player to appear in 1,000 games for the Astros.[34]
Verlander was named AL Player of the Week on April 17. In 15 innings over one start each versus the Rangers and Minnestota Twins, Verlander whiffed 20 and allowed a .100 batting average against.[35]
On April 21, Josh Reddick connected for his first his second grand slam of the month, becoming the second Astro to do so, succeeding Jeff Bagwell in May 2001. Reddick hit his grand slams on April 3 in a 10–6 win against the Orioles and again in a 10–1 victory over the White Sox. Reddick hit both slams as part of multi-homer efforts.[36]
Gerrit Cole's 16-strikeout game
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Gerrit Cole whiffed a career-high 16 batters on May 4 to lead an 8–0, one-hit victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. This was Cole's first career shutout, eleventh contest of double-figures in strikeouts, and fifth since joining the Astros.[37] This was also the first one-hitter that Cole pitched.[31] Cole's 16-strikeout performance was the first by an Astros pitcher since Randy Johnson fanned 16 on August 28, 1998, and just the fifth time in club history.[a][38]
Moreover, Cole's shutout was the 15th game in major league history that featured a game score of 100 or higher in nine innings or fewer (all fitting these criteria have been either no-hit or one-hit shutout victories), and first in franchise history. On October 2, 2015, Max Scherzer's no-hitter preceded Cole's effort, which was succeeded by Verlander, during his no-hitter on September 1, 2019.[b][39]
George Springer's six-hit game
On May 7, 2018, Springer homered versus the Oakland Athletics during a dynamic offensive performance which saw him go 6-for-6, leading to a 16–2 annihilation of Oakland. He also belted a home run that traveled 462 feet (141 m). Springer became the first in Astros franchise history to collect six hits in a nine-inning game.[40] Joe Morgan owned the first six-hit output by an Astro, culminating his effort in a twelve-inning contest on June 8, 1965.[41]
This was also the fourth individual performance in club history to feature at least five hits and 10 total bases during one game, succeeding Morgan's six-hit game, Lee May (April 29, 1974), and Brandon Barnes (July 19, 2013).[c][42]
Middle May
On May 12, Charlie Morton attained a career-high 14 strikeouts over 7 innings and earned the victory. This surpassed his career-high of 12 strikeouts on April 28, 2017, and on April 14 earlier in the season.[33]
Justin Verlander's 2,500th strikeout
On May 16, 2018, Verlander threw a complete-game shutout against the Los Angeles Angels for his eighth career shutout and 24th complete game. He struck out Shohei Ohtani in the top of the ninth inning for his 2,500th career strikeout, becoming the 33rd pitcher in Major League history to cross that threshold. He was second among active leaders in strikeouts behind CC Sabathia.[43]
Rest of May
Over three games versus the Cleveland Indians spanning May 25–27, Altuve recorded a base hit in each of 10 consecutive at bats, breaking his own club record of eight which he had set the year prior. The streak included three doubles, one triple, and one home run.[44] In the finale on May 27, a pitching duel emerged between former UCLA teammates Cole and Trevor Bauer. However, each bullpen implodes in the eighth inning which results in a 10–9 decision for the Indians.[45]
Verlander was named AL Pitcher of the Month for May, his fifth career award. In six starts, he produced a 0.86 ERA and .437 OPS against, allowed nine extra base hits, while striking out 50 over 41+2⁄3 innings. He started and ended the month by dominating the Yankees—the only lineup in baseball with an OPS over .800—with 20 strikeouts in 14+2⁄3 innings, eight hits, and one run allowed.[46] Verlander succeeded Lance McCullers Jr. as the most recent Astro to win Pitcher of the Month, having done so for May 2017.[47]
June
From June 6 to June 13, Evan Gattis became the third player in club history to aggregate 16 or more RBI over a seven-game span.[d][48] For the week ended June 17, Gattis was named AL Player of the Week:[49] Over six games, Gattis batted .417 with four home runs, 15 RBI, 24 total bases and 1.000 slugging percentage (SLG). [50]
Gattis and Alex Bregman accrued 30 RBI each during the month of June, tying with Didi Gregorius of the New York Yankees for most in a month in the American League during the season, and trailing Christian Yelich (34) of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League (NL) for most in the Major Leagues.[e][51] Bregman and Gattis also became the seventh and eighth hitters in club history to attain 30 or more RBI over a calendar month, with the most recent having been Carlos Lee in May 2008.[f][52]
Along with 30 RBI, Bregman batted .306 / .372 on-base percentage (OBP) / .713 slugging percentage (SLG) / 1.085 on-base plus slugging (OPS) over 26 contests. The third baseman scored 24 runs, hit nine doubles, and 11 home runs.[53] Hence, Bregman was named AL Player of the Month. Bregman won his first monthly award, while following teammate Jose Altuve in July 2017 as the most recent Astro to be named.[54]
July, pre-All-Star break
Lance McCullers Jr. started on July 6 by holding the Chicago White Sox hitless for the first 5+1⁄3 innings on the way to setting a career-high with 12 strikeouts over 7 innings. He finished with 1 run allowed on 3 hits to lead an 11–4 win.[55]
On July 7, Kyle Tucker made his major league debut versus Chicago, collecting a hit that day.[56] Tucker started in left field, batting seventh, and in his first plate appearance, struck out looking against James Shields. Shields struck out Tucker in each first three at bats; however, Tucker singled off reliever Bruce Rondón for his first major league hit in the seventh. In the bottom of the eighth, Tucker drew a bases-loaded walk that scored Yuli Gurriel for his first major league RBI. Gurriel homered and drove in four to lead a 12–6 Astros victory. Alex Bregman homered and doubled. Charlie Morton (11–2) allowed five runs over 5+2⁄3 frames to earn the victory, struck out eight, and ended the game with a 2.83 earned run average.[57]
On July 13, 2018, Charlie Morton was added to the American League (AL) roster for the 2018 MLB All-Star game making the Astros the only MLB team at the time to have all of their starting pitchers having at least one selection to participate in the MLB All-Star game.
MLB All-Star Game
For the second consecutive season, the Astros sent a league-high six players to the All-Star Game, hosted at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.. In addition, A. J. Hinch was manager for the American League squad.[58]
Alex Bregman participated in the Home Run Derby.[59] Bregman lasted through the first round only, having been defeated by Kyle Schwarber, 16 to 15.
During a Midsummer Classic featuring a record 10 home runs,[60] Bregman hit the go-ahead run during the top of the tenth inning off Ross Stripling. George Springer golfed Stripling's next offering into the stands as well. as the American League maintained the edge for an 8–6 triumph. The 10 home runs pulverized the All-Star previous record of six.[61] Thus, Bregman was recognized as the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP), the first Astro to win the award.[62]
July, post-All-Star break
In late July, the Astros were recognized with the Best Team ESPY Award based on their play since the previous June.[63]
August
On August 19, Justin Verlander won the 200th game of his career, leading a 9–4 triumph over Oakland, and gain a one-game lead in the division race. Verlander worked 5+1⁄3 innings, being charged all four runs on seven hits, while departing with a 6–4 lead. Astros hitters struck five home runs in support. Verlander's batterymate, Martín Maldonado, swatted a double, triple, and solo home run, becoming both the first Astros catcher and number-nine hitter to accrue each of the three extra-base hits during the same game. Verlander became the 19th hurler to win 200 games in 412 or fewer, the 114th Major Leaguer overall, the 40th to do so all in the American League, and joined Bartolo Colón (247) and CC Sabathia (244) as the third active pitcher.[64] Verlander became the second player to reach the 200-win threshold in an Astros uniform, succeeding Nolan Ryan on July 27, 1982.[8]
On August 21, southpaw Framber Valdez made his major league debut versus the Seattle Mariners, tossing 4+1⁄3 in relief. Valdez limited the Mariners to two hits and an unearned run, while striking out four, on the way to earning the decision as the winning pitcher.[65] Valdez took over for opener Brad Peacock, and retired Dee Strange-Gordon on a flyball, Valdez hit three batters, including Strange-Gordon twice. Josh Reddick homered for the Astros, and Carlos Correa went 3-for-3 with an RBI.[66]
September
Right-hander Josh James made his major league debut on September 1; in doing so, James became lowest-drafted pitcher in club history to start a game for the team (34th round, pick 1,006 in 2014). James tossed five innings, allowed three hits and three runs, and struck out nine, igniting Houston to a 7–3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The Astros scored the go-ahead run—five in all—during the bottom of the eighth. Carlos Correa singled in Tony Kemp to tie the game at 3–3, and Tyler White doubled home George Springer and Correa to pull the Astros ahead, 5–3. Joe Smith (5–1) earned the win by recording two outs in the top of the eighth inning.[67][68]
On September 21, the Astros defeated the Angels, 11–3, clinching a second successive playoff berth. Yuli Gurriel homered twice for his first career mult-homer game, including a grand slam, while amassing a career-high seven RBI. George Springer added a three-run home run for Houston, who maintained a 3+1⁄2-game lead over second-place Oakland. Gerrit Cole (15–5) surrendered three runs and three hits in seven innings, fanning 12 to move to 1,006 for his career. With 272 strikeouts at hat point in the season, Cole also edged ahead of rotation-mate Justin Verlander (269) for the AL lead. Gurriel's 7 RBI were the most in one game for an Astros player since J. R. Towles racked up a club-record 8 on September 20, 2007. Moreover, Gurriel's brother, Lourdes of the Toronto Blue Jays, also thumped a two-home run game, branding the first instance in the Major Leagues that two brothers connected for multi-homer games on the same day.[69]
With a 4–1 triumph over the Blue Jays on September 25, Houston secured their 100th win of the season. Josh James (3–2) tossed five innings to earn the win, and combined with five relievers. Tony Sipp (10), Collin McHugh (11), Ryan Pressly (21), and Héctor Rondón (9) each registered a hold with a scoreless outing, while Roberto Osuna retired the Blue Jays in order in the ninth to convert the save (20). Alex Bregman hit his 31st home run in the first inning. Pinch hitter Evan Gattis swatted a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth inning to score Yuli Gurriel.[70]
On September 26, 2018, Houston won the AL West division title after the Oakland Athletics were defeated by the Seattle Mariners, following an Astros' 4–1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Following a 21–6 (.778) performance for the month of September, Houston set a club record for highest winning percentage during a calendar month, surpassing a 20–6 (.769) showing during May 1969. The Astros pitched to a 2.99 earned run average (ERA) with 276 strikeouts and a 1.147 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) over 240+2⁄3 innings pitched.[71]
Performance overview
Houston concluded the 2018 regular season with a record of 103–59, in first place in the AL West, and six games ahead of the Oakland Athletics.[72] The 103 wins signaled a club record, surpassing their 102-win season of 1998, and another club record scoring to a plus-263 run differential, a figure which led Major League Baseball. Houston's 57–24 (.704) road record was the second-best in Major League Baseball since 1961.[73] Further, the plus-264 run differential synopsized to a Pythagorean expectation of 109–53 (.673), another franchise record.[74]
Astros pitchers set a new MLB record by striking out 1,687 opposing batters during the season.[75] The team had 96 games in which they struck out 10 or more batters, also a record.[76] In addition, they were the first team to strike out 5 or more batters in each of 162 games.[77] The 534 runs surrendered by the pitching staff was the second-fewest by an AL club in a non-strike season since the implementation of the DH in 1973.[73]
Meanwhile, the Astros' 63 errors committed set a franchise-record low over an entire season.[73]
With Verlander (290), Cole (276), and Morton (201) each infiltrating the 200-strikeout threshold, this Astros team joined the 1969 squad as the second in franchise history to produce three such hurlers. Moreover, the only other teams in major league history to have previously registered three such pitchers included the 1967 Minnesota Twins and 2013 Detroit Tigers (also with Verlander contributing). This year's Indians squad became the first to boast four such hurlers.[g][78] Further, each of the three aforementioned starting pitchers won at least 15 games and yielded an earned run average (ERA) under 3.50, making this Astros pitching staff the only one in Major League history to feature three pitchers whose output met all three thresholds.[h][79]
The Astros, along with the Milwaukee Brewers, became the sixth and seventh Major League clubs to roster three relievers who each converted 12 or more saves (Ken Giles, Roberto Osuna, and Héctor Rondón), tying the major league record. The second time club history for the Astros, the two clubs succeeded the 2016 Astros as the most recent team to accomplish this feat.[80]
Justin Verlander's 290 strikeouts led the American League and were a career-high. In addition, he produced a career-best 0.90 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), the third-lowest for an AL starter over the 50 prior seasons.[i][81] Verlander became the fourth Astros pitcher to lead his assigned league in strikeouts, first since Nolan Ryan (228) in 1988, and sixth time overall.[j][82][83]
Alex Bregman became the first primary third baseman in league history to attain both 50 doubles and 30 home runs in the same season,[73] while joining Lou Gehrig (1927) as the only major leaguers to assemble 50 doubles, 30 home runs, 90 base on balls, and 10 stolen bases in one season.[81] Bregman's 51 doubles led all of baseball, the eighth time in franchise history by an Astros hitter, and the 11th time overall within the club's assigned league. It was the first occasion by an Astros hitter since moving to the American League, and first since Miguel Tejada in 2009. Bregman was the seventh individual Astro to lead the league, while Craig Biggio led the most times overall for Astros hitters, with three (1994, 1998, and 1999).[84]
Jose Altuve won his fifth Silver Slugger Award in catenation, a club record, all at second base, also a club record. Altuve matched Craig Biggio, winner of five total Silver Sluggers, for most overall in club history; Biggio won four at second base and the other at catcher. Altuve also tied Robinson Canó for most at the position in the AL, while trailing Ryne Sandberg (seven) for most in Major League history.[85]
Willie Berry, who had served for the Houston Astros for 47 of 57 seasons since the early 1970s, was recognized with the Fred Hartman Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball. Berry started as a janitor and later began serving as a groundskeeper at the Astrodome and Minute Maid Park. Berry was the Astros' longest-tenured groundskeeper, known for meticulous preservation of the pitcher's mound.[81]
Season standings
American League West
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Astros | 103 | 59 | .636 | — | 46–35 | 57–24 |
| Oakland Athletics | 97 | 65 | .599 | 6 | 50–31 | 47–34 |
| Seattle Mariners | 89 | 73 | .549 | 14 | 45–36 | 44–37 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 80 | 82 | .494 | 23 | 42–39 | 38–43 |
| Texas Rangers | 67 | 95 | .414 | 36 | 34–47 | 33–48 |
American League Wild Card
| Team | W | L | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox | 108 | 54 | .667 |
| Houston Astros | 103 | 59 | .636 |
| Cleveland Indians | 91 | 71 | .562 |
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 100 | 62 | .617 | +3 |
| Oakland Athletics | 97 | 65 | .599 | — |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 90 | 72 | .556 | 7 |
| Seattle Mariners | 89 | 73 | .549 | 8 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 80 | 82 | .494 | 17 |
| Minnesota Twins | 78 | 84 | .481 | 19 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 73 | 89 | .451 | 24 |
| Texas Rangers | 67 | 95 | .414 | 30 |
| Detroit Tigers | 64 | 98 | .395 | 33 |
| Chicago White Sox | 62 | 100 | .383 | 35 |
| Kansas City Royals | 58 | 104 | .358 | 39 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 47 | 115 | .290 | 50 |
Record against opponents
| Team | BAL | BOS | CWS | CLE | DET | HOU | KC | LAA | MIN | NYY | OAK | SEA | TB | TEX | TOR | NL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | — | 3–16 | 3–4 | 2–5 | 2–4 | 1–6 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–6 | 7–12 | 1–5 | 1–6 | 8–11 | 3–4 | 5–14 | 7–13 |
| Boston | 16–3 | — | 3–4 | 3–4 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 5–1 | 6–0 | 4–3 | 10–9 | 2–4 | 4–3 | 11–8 | 6–1 | 15–4 | 16–4 |
| Chicago | 4–3 | 4–3 | — | 5–14 | 7–12 | 0–7 | 11–8 | 2–5 | 7–12 | 2–4 | 2–5 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 4–3 | 2–4 | 6–14 |
| Cleveland | 5–2 | 4–3 | 14–5 | — | 13–6 | 3–4 | 12–7 | 3–3 | 10–9 | 2–5 | 2–4 | 2–5 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 12–8 |
| Detroit | 4–2 | 2–4 | 12–7 | 6–13 | — | 1–5 | 8–11 | 3–4 | 7–12 | 3–4 | 0–7 | 3–4 | 2–4 | 3–4 | 4–3 | 6–14 |
| Houston | 6–1 | 4–3 | 7–0 | 4–3 | 5–1 | — | 5–1 | 13–6 | 4–2 | 2–5 | 12–7 | 9–10 | 3–4 | 12–7 | 4–2 | 13–7 |
| Kansas City | 4–2 | 1–5 | 8–11 | 7–12 | 11–8 | 1–5 | — | 1–6 | 10–9 | 2–5 | 2–5 | 1–5 | 0–7 | 2–5 | 2–5 | 6–14 |
| Los Angeles | 5–1 | 0–6 | 5–2 | 3–3 | 4–3 | 6–13 | 6–1 | — | 4–3 | 1–5 | 10–9 | 8–11 | 1–6 | 13–6 | 4–3 | 10–10 |
| Minnesota | 6–1 | 3–4 | 12–7 | 9–10 | 12–7 | 2–4 | 9–10 | 3–4 | — | 2–5 | 2–5 | 1–5 | 3–4 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 8–12 |
| New York | 12–7 | 9–10 | 4–2 | 5–2 | 4–3 | 5–2 | 5–2 | 5–1 | 5–2 | — | 3–3 | 5–1 | 10–9 | 4–3 | 13–6 | 11–9 |
| Oakland | 5–1 | 4–2 | 5–2 | 4–2 | 7–0 | 7–12 | 5–2 | 9–10 | 5–2 | 3–3 | — | 9–10 | 2–5 | 13–6 | 7–0 | 12–8 |
| Seattle | 6–1 | 3–4 | 4–2 | 5–2 | 4–3 | 10–9 | 5–1 | 11–8 | 5–1 | 1–5 | 10–9 | — | 6–1 | 10–9 | 3–4 | 6–14 |
| Tampa Bay | 11–8 | 8–11 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 4–3 | 7–0 | 6–1 | 4–3 | 9–10 | 5–2 | 1–6 | — | 5–1 | 13–6 | 7–13 |
| Texas | 4–3 | 1–6 | 3–4 | 2–4 | 4–3 | 7–12 | 5–2 | 6–13 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 6–13 | 9–10 | 1–5 | — | 3–3 | 9–11 |
| Toronto | 14–5 | 4–15 | 4–2 | 4–3 | 3–4 | 2–4 | 5–2 | 3–4 | 2–4 | 6–13 | 0–7 | 4–3 | 6–13 | 3–3 | — | 13–7 |
Game log
| Past games legend | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astros Win (#bfb) |
Astros Loss (#fcc) |
Game postponed (#bbb) |
Clinched Playoff Berth (#039) |
Clinched Division (#090) |
| Bold denotes an Astros pitcher | ||||
| Future Games Legend | |
|---|---|
| Home Game |
Away Game |
Regular season
| 2018 Game Log: 103–59 (Home: 46–35; Away: 57–24) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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April: 18–9 (Home: 10–6; Away: 8–3)
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May: 16–12 (Home: 7–5; Away: 9–7)
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June: 19–8 (Home: 8–6; Away: 11–2)
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July: 13–11 (Home: 7–7; Away: 6–4)
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August: 14–12 (Home: 3–6; Away: 11–6)
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September: 21–6 (Home: 11–3; Away: 10–3)
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Player stats
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases; BB = Walks; AVG = Batting average; SLG = Slugging average
| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | AVG | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Bregman | 157 | 594 | 105 | 170 | 51 | 1 | 31 | 103 | 10 | 96 | .286 | .532 |
| George Springer | 140 | 544 | 102 | 144 | 26 | 0 | 22 | 71 | 6 | 64 | .265 | .434 |
| Yuli Gurriel | 136 | 537 | 70 | 156 | 33 | 1 | 13 | 85 | 5 | 23 | .291 | .428 |
| Jose Altuve | 137 | 534 | 84 | 169 | 29 | 2 | 13 | 61 | 17 | 55 | .316 | .451 |
| Marwin González | 145 | 489 | 61 | 121 | 25 | 3 | 16 | 68 | 2 | 53 | .247 | .409 |
| Josh Reddick | 134 | 433 | 63 | 105 | 13 | 2 | 17 | 47 | 7 | 49 | .242 | .400 |
| Evan Gattis | 128 | 407 | 49 | 92 | 17 | 0 | 25 | 78 | 1 | 33 | .226 | .452 |
| Carlos Correa | 110 | 402 | 60 | 96 | 20 | 1 | 15 | 65 | 3 | 53 | .239 | .405 |
| Tony Kemp | 97 | 255 | 37 | 67 | 15 | 0 | 6 | 30 | 9 | 32 | .263 | .392 |
| Max Stassi | 88 | 221 | 28 | 50 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 27 | 0 | 23 | .226 | .394 |
| Jake Marisnick | 103 | 213 | 34 | 45 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 28 | 6 | 15 | .211 | .399 |
| Tyler White | 66 | 210 | 27 | 58 | 12 | 3 | 12 | 42 | 0 | 24 | .276 | .533 |
| Brian McCann | 63 | 189 | 22 | 40 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 23 | 0 | 19 | .212 | .339 |
| Martín Maldonado | 41 | 108 | 15 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 3 | .231 | .398 |
| J. D. Davis | 42 | 103 | 9 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 10 | .175 | .223 |
| Derek Fisher | 42 | 79 | 13 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 5 | .165 | .392 |
| Kyle Tucker | 28 | 64 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 6 | .141 | .203 |
| Tim Federowicz | 10 | 34 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .206 | .294 |
| Myles Straw | 9 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .333 | .667 |
| A. J. Reed | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 |
| Pitcher totals | 162 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .080 | .080 |
| Team totals | 162 | 5453 | 797 | 1390 | 278 | 18 | 205 | 763 | 71 | 565 | .255 | .425 |
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Verlander | 16 | 9 | 2.52 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 214.0 | 156 | 63 | 60 | 37 | 290 |
| Dallas Keuchel | 12 | 11 | 3.74 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 204.2 | 211 | 92 | 85 | 58 | 153 |
| Gerrit Cole | 15 | 5 | 2.88 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 200.1 | 143 | 68 | 64 | 64 | 276 |
| Charlie Morton | 15 | 3 | 3.13 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 167.0 | 130 | 63 | 58 | 64 | 201 |
| Lance McCullers Jr. | 10 | 6 | 3.86 | 25 | 22 | 0 | 128.1 | 100 | 60 | 55 | 50 | 112 |
| Collin McHugh | 6 | 2 | 1.99 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 72.1 | 45 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 94 |
| Brad Peacock | 3 | 5 | 3.46 | 61 | 1 | 3 | 65.0 | 56 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 96 |
| Héctor Rondón | 2 | 5 | 3.20 | 63 | 0 | 15 | 59.0 | 58 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 67 |
| Will Harris | 5 | 3 | 3.49 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 56.2 | 48 | 22 | 22 | 14 | 64 |
| Chris Devenski | 2 | 3 | 4.18 | 50 | 1 | 2 | 47.1 | 42 | 23 | 22 | 13 | 51 |
| Joe Smith | 5 | 1 | 3.74 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 45.2 | 34 | 20 | 19 | 12 | 46 |
| Tony Sipp | 3 | 1 | 1.86 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 38.2 | 27 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 42 |
| Framber Valdez | 4 | 1 | 2.19 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 37.0 | 22 | 10 | 9 | 24 | 34 |
| Ken Giles | 0 | 2 | 4.99 | 34 | 0 | 12 | 30.2 | 36 | 17 | 17 | 3 | 31 |
| Ryan Pressly | 1 | 0 | 0.77 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 23.1 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 32 |
| Josh James | 2 | 0 | 2.35 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 23.0 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 29 |
| Roberto Osuna | 2 | 2 | 1.99 | 23 | 0 | 12 | 22.2 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 19 |
| Cionel Pérez | 0 | 0 | 3.97 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 11.1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| Reymin Guduan | 0 | 0 | 2.70 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3.1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Dean Deetz | 0 | 0 | 5.40 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3.1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| J. D. Davis | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| James Hoyt | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Team totals | 103 | 59 | 3.11 | 162 | 162 | 46 | 1455.0 | 1164 | 534 | 503 | 435 | 1687 |
Postseason
| 2018 Postseason Game Log (4–4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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AL Championship Series (1–4)
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Postseason rosters
| Playoff rosters | |
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American League Division Series
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American League Championship Series
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Roster
| 2018 Houston Astros | |||||||||
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| Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
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Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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Awards and achievements
Grand slams
| No. | Date | Astros batter | Venue | Inning | Pitcher | Opposing team | Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 3 | Josh Reddick | Minute Maid Park | 7 | Nestor Cortes | Baltimore Orioles | |
| 2 | April 21 | Guaranteed Rate Field | 2 | Lucas Giolito | Chicago White Sox | ||
| 3 | June 15 | Evan Gattis | Kauffman Stadium | 6[i] | Jakob Junis | Kansas City Royals | |
| 4 | June 24 | Yuli Gurriel | Minute Maid Park | 2 | Jason Hammel | ||
| 5 | July 21 | George Springer | Angel Stadium | 6 | Noé Ramirez | Los Angeles Angels | |
| 6 | August 24 | Marwin González | 5 | Andrew Heaney | |||
| 7 | September 21 | Yuli Gurriel | Minute Maid Park | 1[i] | |||
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Awards
| Other awards results | ||||||||||||||||
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League leaders
- AL batting leaders
- Double plays grounded into: Yuli Gurriel (22)
- Doubles: Alex Bregman (51—led MLB)
- Sacrifice flies: Carlos Correa (11—led MLB)
- AL pitching leaders
- Batters faced: Dallas Keuchel (874—led MLB)
- Games played: Ryan Pressly (77—includes totals with Minnesota Twins)
- Games started: Dallas Keuchel & Justin Verlander (34—tied)
- Huts allowed: Dallas Keuchel (211—led MLB)
- Shutouts: Gerrit Cole & Justin Verlander {1—tied for MLB lead)
- Strikeout-to-walk ratio (K/BB): Justin Verlander (7.143)
- Strikeouts: Justin Verlander (290)
- Strikeouts per nine innings pitched (K/9): Gerrit Cole (13.818—led MLB)
- Walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP): Justin Verlander (0.902—led MLB)
- Winning percentage: Charlie Morton (.833—led MLB)
Milestones
Major League debuts
Player—Appeared at position
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Date and opponent |
Box |
| Also: | [91] | |
Minor league system
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- Awards
- All-Star Futures Game:[92] Yordan Alvarez
- Pacific Coast League All-Star[93]—First baseman: A. J. Reed
- Texas League Manager of the Year:[94] Omar López
- Triple-A All-Star Team[95]—Outfielder: Kyle Tucker
- Triple-A Player of the Year:[96] Kyle Tucker
See also
- Game scores of 100 in a 9-inning MLB game
- List of Major League Baseball 100 win seasons
- List of Major League Baseball All-Star Game managers
- List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual shutout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball franchise postseason streaks
- List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders
Notes
- Prior to Johnson, Don Wilson (twice, on July 14 and September 1, 1968), and Nolan Ryan (September 9, 1987) had whiffed 16 or more batters in a single game as an Astro. Criteria: For single games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring strikeouts ≥ 15, sorted by ascending date.
- For single games, Only 9-inning games or shortened, in the regular season, requiring game score ≥ 100, sorted by ascending date.
- For single games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring total bases ≥ 10, hits ≥ 5, sorted by descending date.
- Following Jeff Bagwell (twice, 19 RBI starting August 13, 2000, and 18 starting on July 6, 2001), and Lance Berkman (16 RBI starting June 28, 2002). Criteria: Unique, isolated periods. In a span of 7 games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring runs batted in ≥ 10, sorted by descending runs ratted in.
- In the regular season, in 2018, for any choice in Months, requiring runs batted in ≥ 25, sorted by greatest runs batted in.
- Yuli Gurriel produced the next such month the following July 2019. Criteria: In the regular season, from 1898 to 2026, playing for HOU, for any choice in months, requiring runs batted in ≥ 28, sorted by greatest runs batted in.
- Number of players that meet criteria in a season for a team, in the regular season, requiring strikeouts ≥ 200, sorted by ascending instances.
- Number of players that meet criteria in a season for a team, in the regular season, requiring strikeouts ≥ 200 and wins ≥ 15 and earned run average ≤ 3.5, sorted by descending instances.
- Minimum 175 innings pitched.
- In 1998, Randy Johnson (329) also led the major leagues in strikeouts while splitting the season between the Mariners and Astros—then in the National League (NL)—but led neither the league individually.