San Diego's Jackson Merrill replaces Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes for NL Rookie of the Year favorite
At Major League Baseball's All-Star break, the one award race that seemed like it might be over was for National League Rookie of the Year.
Valdez loses no-hitter with 2 outs in 9th on Seager homer as Astros beat rival Rangers 4-2
Houston pitcher Framber Valdez lost a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning when Texas slugger Corey Seager hit a two-run homer in the Astrosโ 4-2 victory over the Rangers.
Rangers reliever Brock Burke broke his non-throwing hand by punching a wall after a poor outing
Texas Rangers reliever Brock Burke broke his non-throwing hand while punching a wall following a poor outing Friday night against the Houston Astros.
Who's really left-handed? In baseball, it can be hard to tell
MLB and its history are dotted with men who played out of their natural handedness, a phenomenon that is seen occasionally in other sports but is a regular occurrence on the diamond.
Blanco follows no-hitter with six 1-hit innings as Astros beat Rangers 3-1
Houston right-hander Ronel Blanco followed his no-hitter with one-hit ball over six scoreless innings, and the Astros beat the Texas Rangers 3-1.
Eovaldi remains perfect, Rangers slug their way to 9-2 win over Astros to force Game 7 in ALCS
Nathan Eovaldi remained perfect this postseason, and Mitch Garver and Jonah Heim homered early before a ninth-inning grand slam by Adolis Garcรญa helped the Texas Rangers avoid elimination with a 9-2 win over the Houston Astros in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series.
Astros' Abreu suspended 2 games by MLB, which says he intentionally threw at Garcรญa
Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu was suspended for two games and fined by Major League Baseball, which said he intentionally threw at Adolis Garcรญa of the Texas Rangers during Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.
Abreu, Alvarez and Altuve help Astros pull even in ALCS with 10-3 win over Rangers in Game 4
Josรฉ Abreu hit a three-run homer right after Yordan Alvarezโs tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and the Houston Astros pulled even in the AL Championship Series with a 10-3 victory over the Texas Rangers in Game 4.
Altuve and Javier lead Astros to 8-5 win at Rangers as Houston closes to 2-1 in ALCS
Jose Altuve homered, Cristian Javier worked into the sixth inning of another solid postseason start and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 8-5, closing to 2-1 in the AL Championship Series.
Rangers build big early lead off Valdez, hold on for 5-4 win over Astros to take 2-0 lead in ALCS
Jonah Heim homered, Nathan Eovaldi pitched six effective innings and the Texas Rangers beat Framber Valdez and Houston Astros 5-4 for a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series.
Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez dealing with ailment during ALCS against Rangers, AP source says
Houston slugger Yordan Alvarez is dealing with an ailment as the Astros face the Texas Rangers in the AL Championship Series, a person familiar with his condition told The Associated Press.
Montgomery shuts out Astros, Taveras homers as Rangers get 2-0 win in Game 1 of ALCS
Jordan Montgomery shut down the Houston Astros and Leody Taveras homered as the Texas Rangers did just enough against Justin Verlander to get a 2-0 win in the opener of the AL Championship Series Sunday night.
Astros pound 4 homers, with a pair by Abreu, to rout Twins 9-1 and take 2-1 ALDS lead
Josรฉ Abreu hit a three-run homer for Houston in a four-run first inning against Sonny Gray and piled on with a two-run shot in the ninth to power the Astros past the Minnesota Twins 9-1.
Verlander holds Twins scoreless, Alvarez and Altuve power Astros to 6-4 victory in ALDS opener
Justin Verlander pitched six shutout innings, Yordan Alvarez homered twice and the Houston Astros held on for a 6-4 win over the Minnesota Twins in their AL Division Series opener.
Mullins hits 3-run homer in 9th to lift Orioles to 8-7 win over Astros
Cedric Mullins hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning to rally the Baltimore Orioles past the Houston Astros 8-7 in a matchup of American League division leaders.
Altuve homers 3 times, Maldonado twice as Astros pummel reeling Rangers 14-1
Jose Altuve homered his first three times up, starting with a pair off All-Star right-hander Nathan Eovaldi in his return from the injured list, and the Houston Astros pummeled the Texas Rangers 14-1.
Jose Altuve hits 2-run HR to complete 1st cycle of his career, Astros crush Red Sox 13-5
Jose Altuve completed the first cycle of his career with a two-run homer over the Green Monster in the eighth inning, and the Houston Astros rolled past the Boston Red Sox 13-5.
Kyle Tucker's 9th-inning grand slam off Fรฉlix Bautista lifts Astros to 7-6 victory over Orioles
Kyle Tuckerโs grand slam off Fรฉlix Bautista in the top of the ninth inning gave the Houston Astros a 7-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Alvarez blasts Baker, Astros to World Series title vs Phils
Yordan Alvarez hit a towering three-run homer and the Houston Astros clinched their second World Series title in six seasons with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6.
Verlander gets World Series win, Astros lead Phillies 3-2
Justin Verlander overcame an early jolt to grit out the World Series win that long eluded him, rookie Jeremy Peรฑa hit a go-ahead home run and the Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 to head home with a 3-2 lead.
Javier, 'pen hold Phils hitless through 8 innings in Game 4
Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu and Rafael Montero held the Philadelphia Phillies hitless through eight innings in Game 4 of the World Series, and the Houston Astros led 5-0 after knocking out Aaron Nola in a five-run fifth.
Harper, Phillies tie World Series mark with 5 HR, top Astros
Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm helped the Philadelphia Phillies hit a World Series record-tying five home runs in a 7-0 win over the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the World Series.
Astros burst ahead, beat Phillies 5-2, tie World Series 1-1
Framber Valdez made a five-run lead stand up after Houstonโs lightning first-inning burst, Alex Bregman homered and the Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 to tie the World Series at one game apiece.
Nola to start World Series Game 1 for Phils, Wheeler Game 2
The Philadelphia Phillies will start right-hander Aaron Nola in Game 1 of the World Series against the Houston Astros and last seasonโs NL Cy Young Award runner-up Zack Wheeler in Game 2.
Astros sweep Yankees in ALCS, advance to World Series again
Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman delivered big hits and the Houston Astros advanced to the World Series again, finishing a four-game sweep of New York in the AL Championship Series with a 6-5 victory aided by another defensive gaffe from the Yankees.
Cortes hurt, leaves after tying 3-run HR in ALCS Game 4
Yankees All-Star pitcher Nestor Cortes left Game 4 of the AL Championship Series with an injured left groin after allowing a three-run homer to Houstonโs Jeremy Pena in the third inning.
Bregman HR as Valdez, Astros edge Yankees 3-2, lead ALCS 2-0
Alex Bregman hit an early three-run homer, Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and the Houston Astros edged the New York Yankees 3-2 to take a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series.
Verlander Ks 11 to lead Astros over Yankees 4-2 in ALCS
Justin Verlander struck out 11 in six strong innings and Yuli Gurriel, Chas McCormick and Jeremy Peรฑa all homered to power the Houston Astros to a 4-2 win over the New York Yankees in their AL Championship Series opener.
Peรฑa's 18th-inning HR sends Astros past Mariners for sweep
Jeremy Peรฑa homered in the 18th inning, and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 1-0 to advance to the AL Championship Series for the sixth straight year.
Seattle welcomes back playoffs, M's, try to skip elimination
There was bunting draped off the railings in October and logos painted on the grass of T-Mobile Park that were absent for the past two decades when the Seattle Mariners were stuck in baseball purgatory and left as a spectator every postseason.
Alvarez homers again, Astros top Mariners 4-2, lead ALDS 2-0
Yordan Alvarez and his mighty bat did it yet again, launching a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning off Seattle ace Luis Castillo that lifted the Houston Astros over the Mariners 4-2 for a 2-0 lead in the AL Division Series.
Alvarez hits 3-run HR vs Ray in 9th, Astros jolt M's in ALDS
Yordan Alvarez smashed a game-ending, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning off Robbie Ray, wrecking Seattleโs strategy of using a Cy Young Award winner in a rare relief role and vaulting the Houston Astros over the Mariners 8-7 in their playoff opener.
Phillies down Astros for 1st playoff berth since 2011
Aaron Nola took a perfect game into the seventh inning and Kyle Schwarber homered twice as the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first playoff berth in 11 years with a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros Monday night.
Valdez has MLB-record 25th quality start, Astros down A's
Framber Valdez set a major league record with his 25th straight quality start, and Yordan Alvarez and Martin Maldonado had four RBIs each to help the Houston Astros to an 11-2 rout of the Oakland Athletics.
Alvarez has 3 HRs, Astros down A's to clinch playoff berth
Yordan Alvarez homered in his first three at-bats, Justin Verlander threw five hitless innings in his return from the injured list and the Houston Astros clinched a postseason berth with a 5-0 win over the Oakland Athletics.
Trout HR 6th game in row; Ohtani blister, Angels top Astros
Mike Trout homered in his sixth straight game to set an Angels franchise record, Shohei Ohtani threw five solid innings before exiting because of a blister and Los Angeles beat the Houston Astros 6-1.
Verlander 6 no-hit innings, 16th W; Astros top Correa, Twins
Justin Verlander was pulled after pitching six no-hit innings in his major league-leading 16th win and the Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 in Carlos Correaโs return to Houston.
Tucker, Urquidy power Astros past Braves as Ozuna hears boos
Atlanta outfielder Marcell Ozuna was booed by his home fans in his return, Kyle Tucker singled to drive in Yordan Alvarez for the go-ahead run in the eighth, Josรฉ Urquidy won his 12th game, and the Houston Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 to avoid a three-game sweep.
Astros star Alvarez back at ballpark after breathing scare
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez isn't in the lineup for a game against the Atlanta Braves a day after being taken to a hospital because of shortness of breath.
Yankees' Aaron Judge 2nd fastest to 200 career home runs
Yankees star Aaron Judge became the second-fastest player in major league history to reach 200 career home runs with a two-run drive in the second inning for New York against the Kansas City Royals.
Verlander wins MLB-leading 14th, Astros rout Mariners 11-1
Justin Verlander pitched one-run ball into the eighth inning and won his MLB-leading 14th game, Aledmys Dรญaz hit two homers and Yordan Alvarez slugged his 30th home run of the season as the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 11-1.
Alvarez homers as Astros down Yankees 7-5 for DH sweep
Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman both homered and the pair combined for five RBIs as the Houston Astros completed a doubleheader sweep of the New York Yankees Thursday with a 7-5 win in Game 2.
Trout, Ohtani, Betts, Turner to start All-Star Game in LA
Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels were elected Friday to start in the July 19 All-Star Game along with outfielders Mookie Betts and Trea Turner of the host Dodgers.
Javier fans career-high 14 to lead Astros over Angels 8-1
Cristian Javier pitched another gem, striking out a career-high 14 while allowing just one hit in seven innings to lead the Houston Astros to an 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Yankees' Judge walks off Astros for 2nd time in 4 days
Aaron Judge drove a three-run homer in the 10th inning for his second walk-off hit against Houston in four days, and the New York Yankees recovered after nearly being no-hit for the second consecutive game, beating Houston 6-3 to split a four-game series between the ALโs best teams.
Verlander pitches Astros to 3-1 win, ends Yanks' home streak
Justin Verlander pitched four-hit ball over seven innings, Kyle Tucker hit a three-run homer and the Houston Astros beat the Yankees 3-1 to stop New Yorkโs 15-game home winning streak.
Benches clear in 9th, Servais tossed as Mariners beat Astros
Mariners manager Scott Servais was ejected for his role in a benches-clearing scuffle in the ninth inning of Seattleโs 7-4 win over the Houston Astros, a game in which Cal Raleigh had a career-high four RBIs and Julio Rodriguez hit a late two-run shot.
Houston rockets: Astros hit 5 HRs in 2nd, rout Red Sox 13-4
The Astros tied the MLB record for most home runs in an inning, hitting five off Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi as part of a nine-run second to help Houston rout Boston 13-4.
Ohtani overpowers in 2-way performance, Angels blank Astros
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani pitched perfect ball into the sixth inning, tied a career-best with 12 strikeouts and also had two hits and two RBIs to lead the Los Angeles Angels over the Houston Astros 6-0.
Valdez bests Ohtani, Astros top Angels 3-1 for opener record
Framber Valdez outpitched Shohei Ohtani with 6 2/3 dominant innings of two-hit ball, and the Houston Astros tied the longest opening day winning streak in major league history with a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
![Soler, Braves overcome Morton injury, top Astros in Game 1](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ILkS6967_F-R9du_7EEDVKqecjI=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/U3EOS4Z6OJGVTCU56CNT6PWX2E.jpg)
Soler, Braves overcome Morton injury, top Astros in Game 1
Making his first start since testing positive for COVID-19, Jorge Soler became the first player to begin a World Series with a home run and the Atlanta Braves, despite the loss of pitcher Charlie Morton to a broken leg, hushed the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game 1.
![Garcรญa, Alvarez help Astros oust Red Sox, reach World Series](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/wmuQR_HtRxmTHSD-QfYQdKaplco=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KK663I3L3JDVXBWMDIBJUEBM7E.jpg)
Garcรญa, Alvarez help Astros oust Red Sox, reach World Series
Rookie Luis Garcรญa showed the poise of an October ace, MVP Yordan Alvarez stayed hot at the plate and the Houston Astros earned yet another trip to the World Series, beating the Boston Red Sox 5-0 in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series.
![Astros awaken for 7 in 9th, beat Boston 9-2 to tie ALCS 2-2](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/jDcEnuBTXotthQDCsmfMDfX9sXI=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PL3A3U7WXZDBHGC7VQA7IEXONA.jpg)
Astros awaken for 7 in 9th, beat Boston 9-2 to tie ALCS 2-2
Jose Altuve hit a tying home run in the eighth inning and the Houston offense awakened with seven runs in the ninth on Tuesday night as the Astros came back to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-2.
![Correaโs time: Late HR helps Astros top Bosox in ALCS opener](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/eEDpJOrp3cn8DOTybQat7Ozr9RQ=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NFNZGM2JMNDHNM7XLCBYDW3Y5A.jpg)
Correaโs time: Late HR helps Astros top Bosox in ALCS opener
Carlos Correa hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning that helped the Houston Astros beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series.