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Astros: Ten must-watch events of the 2018 season
The Astros are a must-watch team in 2018.
The 2018 Major League Baseball regular season is just around the corner. Opening Day is Thursday, March 29th. We are only a few days away. 162 games is a lot to take in. We as fans try to watch and attend as many games as we can. Either way, this season will be one for the ages.
With a bolstered pitching staff, a title defense and a lineup that stayed intact, the Astros are not only looking to defend but to be better than they were last season. If you can’t catch every game, here is a guide to the top 10 must-see games or series throughout the season. For the full schedule, times and ticket sales, click here.
10. Opening Day at Texas Rangers
When: Thursday, March 29th, 2018
Pitcher: Justin Verlander
The Storyline: What better way to open the season than with your ace? Opening the season on the road versus your in-state rival is a great way to get going. Since the Astros made the move to the American League, the rivalry with the Texas Rangers has gotten fiercer. The Astros and Rangers have been division rivals since 2013, and the Rangers lead the division series 60-35. The ‘Stros bested them last season 12-7, and we all remember the Hurricane Harvey incident that added fuel to the fire in this matchup.
9. Gerrit Cole’s Astros Debut vs. The Texas Rangers
When: Sunday, April 1st, 2018
Pitcher: Gerrit Cole
The Storyline: This is presumably the newly acquired Gerrit Cole’s first start. The Astros get to see what their new toy can do. Slotted 4th on the depth chart of what is arguably the best rotation in the majors is very scary. When trading for an arm like Cole, most MLB teams are trading for an ace. The Astros traded for depth. Let that sink in for a bit as he rolls out his 2.04 spring training ERA.
8. Home Opener and first Home Series Vs. The Baltimore Orioles
When: Monday, April 2nd – Wednesday, April 4th
Pitchers: Lance McCullers Jr followed up by the top of the rotation.
The Storyline: The Astros welcome the Baltimore Orioles for their opening home series. Filled with excitement and much-anticipated celebrations, the Astros get to unveil their banner and receive their championship rings. Monday, April 2nd the Astros unveil the championship banner and Tuesday, April 3rd is the ring ceremony. Fans attending games can receive their own hardware along with many other giveaways in 2018. For a full list of giveaways, click here.
7. Home Series with the Bronx Bombers
When: Monday, April 30th – Thursday, May 3rd
Pitchers: Look for the bullpen to be tested in this highly anticipated high scoring bout.
The Storyline: The Astros are slated for a four-game homestand vs. the New York Yankees in a rematch of thrilling seven-game ALCS. A matchup between the huge bats of the Yankees versus the big arms of the Astros rotation is as exciting as it sounds. It will be the first regular season look at the dangerous Yankee lineup including Aaron Judge and the newly acquired NL MVP, Giancarlo Stanton.
In what combined for 111 home runs between Judge and Stanton last season this duo is a tough task for the Astros arms. I think this will be a high scoring high excitement series between the two. And, there’s still that chip on Verlander’s shoulders after the AL crown was prematurely given to the Yankees.
6. A rematch of ALDS vs. the Boston Red Sox
Coaching: Alex Cora vs. A.J Hinch
The Storyline: In a rematch of the ALDS, the Astros and Red Sox meet for the first time since that magical postseason run that all started with this exciting American League Division Series. This rivalry started a bit early as these two wrapped up a three games series in Boston as they were both setting up their postseason position. The Astros continued on to a 3-1 ALDS win. To add a plot twist, the Astros get to face their former bench coach, Alex Cora who was signed by the Red Sox as their new skipper. This is another exciting series as these two may meet again in the postseason and head-to-head wins count for much more at the end of the season.
5. Second Half Division rivalry vs. the Angels
When: Friday, July 20th – Sunday, July 22nd
Lineup: Astros bats vs. Shohei Ohtani
The Storyline: At this point of the season, we should have a good sample size of what highly coveted Shohei Ohtani has to offer. And the Astros get to take their high-powered offense and test him a little. This will be the 3rd season series and 9th, 10th and 11th games versus the Angels but will be a good measuring stick because it comes after a cross-country trip and a long All-Star Break in Washington D.C.
This series officially marks the start of the 2nd half of the season, and with 99 games in at this point, the separation ensues between contenders and pretenders. The Astros had a very comfortable division lead last season winning the West by 21 games. Although clear favorites to win the AL West again, division rivalries are always tough. Look for the Astros to start separating themselves in the second half.
4. Dog Days of Summer Battle vs. Texas Rangers
When: Friday, July 27th – Sunday, July 29th
Bout: Health vs. Fatigue
The Storyline: The nights are longer and the days are hotter. Nothing is more heated than yet another mid-summer classic bout with in-state rivals, the Texas Rangers. The fireworks on Friday night will carry through the weekend. The dog days of summer will surely test the health and fatigue of all 30 major league teams especially the defending champion Astros as they had a much shorter offseason than the rest of the league.
This is where depth and endurance come in to play. In this second half stretch, the Astros face the Angles, Rockies, Rangers, and Mariners. Three of which are division foes that you shouldn’t sleep on. 162 games is a long season. Some teams may have nothing to play for at this point. The Astros will be tested to not-overlook these teams who may be playing spoiler for contenders.
3. California Dreaming World Series Rematch vs. Los Angeles Dodgers.
When: Friday, August 3rd – Sunday, August 5th
Head to Head: A.J. Hinch vs. Dave Roberts
The Storyline: This storyline speaks for itself. A rematch of that nail-biting seven-game World Series which crowned the Houston Astros with their first championship in franchise history. In a late-season interleague series, the Los Angeles Dodgers reluctantly welcome the Astros to town.
This weekend series may not mean much for standings purposes but look for another tough matchup and efforts by both squads. Good friends A.J. Hinch and Dave Roberts look to position themselves for another postseason run and the possible rematch in the 2018 World Series. This time, the series winner may prove home field advantage should a rematch occur. The Dodgers came just short of a title so they will be looking for revenge.
2. Don’t sleep on a sleeper: Athletics and Astros wrap up season series.
When: August 17th -19th and August 27th – 29th
The Bout: Astros Seasoned Pitchers vs. Young and Talented Athletics Roster
The Storyline: It’s hard to predict and project the final standings, but it seems like the Athletics are penciled in to finish last in the AL West again. I say, don’t sleep on this young Oakland team. Their roster is filled with young talent, and they have a strong farm system. This team is looking to take a step forward, and August accounts for six meetings between these two.
By this time in the season, this young group of talent has film and practice against this seasoned pitching staff and Oakland will look to get hit hits against these veterans. The Astros had a rough August last season and shouldn’t let any ground they’ve gained up to this point slip away.
1. Setting up for October: Astros vs. Angeles
When: Friday, September 21st – Sunday, September 23rd.
What: Positioning themselves in the standings.
The Storyline: The Astros and Angels meet seven times by the end of August and September. By now we should have a clear picture of the postseason, and it all comes down to seeding. Should the Astros find themselves in the hunt, a couple of series with a creeping Angeles team could make all the difference.
Next: Astros make J.D. Davis their choice for first base
The ‘Stros wrap up the regular season playing seven straight on an East Coast road trip. If there is a division race with anyone in the AL West this season, the Angels seem to fit the bill. A 21 game lead last year could be smaller this season. The Astros need health, depth, and momentum to make another long postseason run. These two division series against the Angels could determine seeding and if a consecutive division crown is earned.
*** Statistics and information courtesy of Baseball-Reference***