HOUSTON — Are you ready, Houston Astros fans?!
The Astros are set to play against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on Thursday and Joe Espada will make his debut as the new team manager.
The Astros added a big name from San Diego, signing five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader in January. Houston’s lineup is anchored by Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, but has four starting pitchers opening the season on the injured list.
The Astros have won six consecutive AL West titles competed in full seasons and are looking for their eighth consecutive trip to the ALCS. Last year, the Astros lost in seven games in the ALCS to the Rangers, dropping all four games at Minute Maid Park.
Here is the Astros’ likely lineup, according to MLB:
1. Jose Altuve, 2B
2. Yordan Alvarez, DH
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
4. Kyle Tucker, RF
5. José Abreu, 1B
6. Yainer Diaz, C
7. Chas McCormick, LF
8. Jeremy Peña, SS
9. Jake Meyers, CF
How You Can Watch the Game
Fans can watch the game Thursday at 3:10 p.m. CT/4:10 p.m. ET (watch live FREE on MLB.TV — it’s the Free Game of the Day). The Astros broadcast will be on Space City Home Network.
Astros’ Starting Pitchers
Left-hander Framber Valdez (12-11, 3.45 ERA) will make his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros, tying him with Dallas Keuchel for the most by a southpaw in club history. After going 7-6 with a 2.51 ERA in his first 17 starts last year and making the All-Star team, he was 5-5 with a 4.66 ERA in his final 14 starts, which included an Aug. 1 no-hitter against Cleveland. He lost all three of his starts in the playoffs, posting a 9.00 ERA.
The only other time the Astros and Yankees opened the season against each other was in 2016 at Yankee Stadium.
