JOSH JAMES

Drew Rasmussen and three relievers combined for a three-hitter, Brandon Lowe and Ji-Man Choi both homered and the Tampa Bay Rays coasted past the Houston Astros 7-0, giving them the No. 1 seed in the American League playoffs.

Manny Machado, Wil Myers and Fernando Tatis Jr. each hit an impressive two-run home run and Joe Musgrove had a solid outing against one of his former teams as the San Diego Padres beat the AL West-leading Houston Astros 10-2.

Framber Valdez and the Houston bullpen took a no-hit try into the eighth inning and Astros beat Texas 4-1, sending the Rangers to their season-worst 11th straight loss.

José Altuve hit a grand slam to briefly quiet incessant booing by Cleveland fans, Yordan Alvarez and Michael Brantley also homered, and the Houston Astros snapped a four-game losing streak with a 7-2 win over the Indians.

Cedric Mullins homered with four hits and Austin Hays and Maikel Franco had three RBIs each as the Baltimore Orioles broke open the game late to cruise to a 13-3 win over the Houston Astros.

Zack Greinke took a four-hitter into the eighth inning, Myles Straw homered and drove in two runs, and the Houston Astros beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 for their ninth straight victory.

Jake Odorizzi and the Houston bullpen took a bid for a combined no-hitter into the eighth inning, eventually settling for a 10-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles that marked the Astros’ eighth straight win.

After a weekend sweep at the hands of the awful Texas Rangers, the Astros welcome some of the best teams in baseball to Minute Maid Park.

Major League Baseball wants to see if moving back the pitcher’s mound will increase offense.

HOUSTON – Astros pitcher Josh James underwent hip surgery and will need six to eight months to recover. Houston general manager James Click said Saturday that James had a labral tear of his left hip repaired Friday. James initially injured his hip Aug. 20 in a game at Colorado and went on the injured list. When the right-hander returned, he had a 1.35 ERA over 6 2-3 innings in his final six appearances of the regular season. For the regular season, James was 1-0 with a 7.27 ERA in 13 appearances (two starts) with 21 strikeouts.

The Astros defeated the Rays 4-3 and the Rays lead the series 3-2 games. The Astros forced Game 6 on Friday, a rematch of the first game started by left-handers Blake Snell of Tampa Bay and Valdéz. Otherwise, big league clubs leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven postseason series are 37-1. Correa also hit a walkoff homer in Game 2 of the 2017 ALCS off Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees. Houston became the first team with a leadoff and walk-off home run in a postseason game.

Oakland Athletics' Chad Pinder, right, celebrates with manager Bob Melvin after the Athletics defeated the Houston Astros in Game 3 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. And just in case Laureano's words did not get the message across, he ripped a double as the A's got a pair of sacrifice flies in the eighth to rally past the Houston Astros 9-7 on Wednesday and avoid elimination in their AL Division Series. “It was awesome.”Houston leads the best-of-five series 2-1 and can advance to its fourth straight AL Championship Series with a victory in Game 4 on Thursday. Pinder hit a first-pitch slider to the opposite field for Oakland's fifth homer, a drive chased by right fielder Kyle Tucker until he ran out of room at the short wall. Houston took a 7-4 lead with five runs in the fifth, when the Astros sent 10 batters to the plate.

(AP) – Houston clinched the final spot in the expanded American League playoffs when the Los Angeles Angels lost about two hours after the Astros fell 5-4 to the Texas Rangers in 10 innings Friday night. Houston, which already had its three-year reign atop the division ended by Oakland, currently is the only AL playoff team without a winning record. The Angels' 9-5 loss to the Dodgers made Houston's Dusty Baker the first manager to lead five different franchises to the playoffs. UP NEXTThe Astros were waiting for the LA outcome to decide who would start the third game in the four-game series to finish the regular season. RHP Kyle Gibson (2-6, 5.87 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rangers.

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas – Houston clinched the final spot in the expanded American League playoffs when the Los Angeles Angels lost about two hours after the Astros fell 5-4 to the Texas Rangers in 10 innings Friday night. Houston, which already had its three-year reign atop the division ended by Oakland, currently is the only AL playoff team without a winning record. The Angels' 9-5 loss to the Dodgers made Houston's Dusty Baker the first manager to lead five different franchises to the playoffs. UP NEXTThe Astros were waiting for the LA outcome to decide who would start the third game in the four-game series to finish the regular season. RHP Kyle Gibson (2-6, 5.87 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rangers.

HOUSTON (AP) – Framber Valdez tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts in 6 1/3 solid innings, Kyle Tucker homered and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 2-1 on Thursday night. Tucker gave the Astros a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer to right in the second. Josh James relieved Valdez and struck out Tejeda before Eli White cut the lead in half with an RBI single to left. Valdez rebounded nicely after being tagged for 13 runs in the last 12 innings over his last two starts. Astros: RHP Zack Greinke (3-2, 3.77) is slated to start on Friday as the Astros open a three-game series against the Diamondbacks.

(AP) – Kyle Gibson threw a four-hitter and Joey Gallo hit a ground-rule RBI double with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Texas Rangers over the Houston Astros 1-0 on Wednesday night. Gibson (2-5) walked three and struck out a season-high nine to earn his first win since Aug. 15. Gibson struck out Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley in the ninth before a double by Alex Bregman. Gibson walked Martín Maldonado with two outs in the eighth before fanning George Springer. Trainer’s roomAstros: Houston ace Justin Verlander threw to hitters for the first time since he was injured in the team’s opener on July 24.

Bregman scored on Yuri Gurriel's sacrifice fly to center off Adam Kolarek for a 7-5 lead. The Astros improved to 7-17 on the road after coming in with losses in eight of their previous nine games. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago. Fans aren't allowed inside this season because of the coronavirus, but a group of Dodger supporters greeted the Astros' bus as it pulled in. Dodgers: RHP Dustin May, who took a line drive off his left foot in Arizona, had a CT scan that revealed a contusion but no fracture.

Alex Bregman was added to the latest list of injured players on the Astros roster this week. The same day in Colorado, MVP runner up Alex Bregman left the game against the Rockies with a hamstring injury. Such is the state of not just the Astros in 2020, but baseball, where injuries have increased twofold over any normal season. Despite all that, the Astros are currently on a seven-game winning streak including a four-game home-and-home series sweep of the Colorado Rockies. For now, these Astros are fun to watch, so we should enjoy it while we can.

Bielak (3-0) allowed one hit and one run in six innings for the win in his third MLB start. The Rockies have dropped four of their last five games and six of the last eight. The Rockies didnt get another hit until Charlie Blackmon singled on a ball which hit Taylor on the thigh to start the ninth inning. It is the first time the Rockies have lost a game Freeland started this season after they won the first four games he started. Greinke got his first win of the season in his last start when he allowed one run in a season-high 6 1/3 innings against San Francisco.

McCullers (2-1) bounced back from one of the worst performances of his career with a gem where he allowed one hit and struck out five in seven scoreless innings. Ryan Pressly retired the next two batters before the Giants cut it to 6-3 on a run-scoring single by Brandon Crawford. Slater hit an RBI single before Pressly retired pinch-hitter Evan Longoria to get his first save. McCullers, who missed last season after Tommy John surgery, retired his first six batters before plunking Slater on the leg to start the third inning. Martn Maldonado snapped a 0-for-13 slump when he connected off Conner Menez for a solo homer to the seats in right field to start Houstons sixth and make it 6-0.

(AP) – Alex Bregman hit an RBI single in the 11th inning, and the Houston Astros rallied for a 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. Bregman also homered, and Josh Reddick delivered the tying RBI single in the ninth as the Astros took two of three at Angel Stadium. Both teams scored in the 10th, with Kyle Tucker advancing on two fly balls in the Astros' hitless half. The Angels loaded the bases in the bottom half with two walks, but Taylor finished strong. UP NEXTAstros: Manager Dusty Baker hasn't said who will start Tuesday night when the Astros open a three-game series at Arizona.

HOUSTON The Houston Astros have had top pitching staffs in the teams 3-year playoff run, with plenty of depth in the minor league system. Some depth may be there in 2020, but at the major league level, the Astros are the thinnest they have been in years. That leaves Josh James in a role he hasnt embraced full-time since 2018 when he had 21 successful minor league starts. Valdez has made 13 major league starts to limited success. Sneed has been relatively reliable but has never stood out at either the major league or the upper minor league level.

Down 0-2 and with the World Series turning to Washington, the Astros' odds of a comeback is....EMBED >More News Videos Let's just hope the Washington Nationals just jinxed themselves by doing this. "I just liked the competitiveness of our at-bats," Astros manager AJ Hinch said. "Houston can even things up in Game 4 on Saturday night at Nationals Park. The 35-year-old righty had taken a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his previous start, in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against St. Louis two weeks earlier. He is 1-2 with a 6.91 ERA, including one scoreless inning in relief during Game 1 of the World Series.

A few seconds pass before the hard-throwing Houston Astros reliever returns to the rubber and delivers his next pitch. The tactic is something James learned from working with Dr. Jesse Michel, a sports psychologist who since 2017 has been the mental skills coordinator for the Astros. James is in his first full season in the majors after making his debut in 2018. That season James made a remarkable jump, opening the season in Double-A and ending it with a spot on Houston's roster for the playoffs, despite not being called up until Sept. 1. As he dealt with the jump from the minors to the majors, James relied on Michel's teachings when things got tough and he needed to calm down.

STARTING PITCHERSGerrit Cole*Justin VerlanderZack Greinke*RELIEF PITCHERSChris DevenskiWill HarrisJosh James*Roberto Osuna*Brad PeacockRyan Pressly*Hector RondonJoe Smith*Jose Urquidy*CATCHERSRobinson Chirinos*Martin Maldonado*INFIELDERSJose AltuveAlex BregmanCarlos CorreaAledmys Diaz*Yuli GurrielOUTFIELDERSYordan Alvarez*Michael Brantley*Jake Marisnick*Josh ReddickGeorge SpringerKyle Tucker*EMBED >More News Videos As the 'Stros head into the 2019 World Series, we asked some of them if they had any rituals or superstitions before the game. EMBED >More News Videos With Houston facing Washington in the World Series, we asked some of the 'Stros who on the team would be the best president and vice president. EMBED >More News Videos Gerrit Cole is an overpowering force for the Houston Astros, using more than just his baseball skill to help his team. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Go with what got you to the dance, right?Hours before the first pitch of the 2019 World Series, the Houston Astros released a roster they hope will get them another championship.The roster includes 12 pitchers, two catchers, five infielders and six outfielders. The entire pitching staff is comprised of right-handers.The Astros opted for continuity in their roster, using much of the same lineup from their AL Championship Series team for their matchup with the Washington Nationals.Like the previous series this postseason, the Astros decided to keep Wade Miley, a starter for much of the regular season, off the World Series team.In addition, there will be a number of players making their World Series debut on Tuesday night.Here is the Houston Astros roster for the 2019 World Series:

STARTING PITCHERSGerrit Cole*Justin VerlanderZack Greinke*RELIEF PITCHERSChris DevenskiWill HarrisJosh James*Roberto Osuna*Brad PeacockRyan Pressly*Hector RondonJoe Smith*Jose Urquidy*CATCHERSRobinson Chirinos*Martin Maldonado*INFIELDERSJose AltuveAlex BregmanCarlos CorreaAledmys Diaz*Yuli GurrielOUTFIELDERSYordan Alvarez*Michael Brantley*Jake Marisnick*Josh ReddickGeorge SpringerKyle Tucker*EMBED >More News Videos As the 'Stros head into the 2019 World Series, we asked some of them if they had any rituals or superstitions before the game. EMBED >More News Videos With Houston facing Washington in the World Series, we asked some of the 'Stros who on the team would be the best president and vice president. EMBED >More News Videos Gerrit Cole is an overpowering force for the Houston Astros, using more than just his baseball skill to help his team. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Go with what got you to the dance, right?Hours before the first pitch of the 2019 World Series, the Houston Astros released a roster they hope will get them another championship.The roster includes 12 pitchers, two catchers, five infielders and six outfielders. The entire pitching staff is comprised of right-handers.The Astros opted for continuity in their roster, using much of the same lineup from their AL Championship Series team for their matchup with the Washington Nationals.Like the previous series this postseason, the Astros decided to keep Wade Miley, a starter for much of the regular season, off the World Series team.In addition, there will be a number of players making their World Series debut on Tuesday night.Here is the Houston Astros roster for the 2019 World Series:

It was an immediate sign Greinke's control was off and that the Yankees could blow the game open early. But of course, it's a nine-inning game, and Greinke probably told himself that despite the damage, it was just one run, and there were two outs. It's worth repeating that Astros pitching again got out of a bases-loaded situation, this time with only one out and Gleyber Torres batting. From there, Astros relievers Will Harris, Joe Smith, and Roberto Osuna came in to allow not a singled earned base runner. That's, of course, a sign that the Astros are peaking for the business end of playoff baseball.

#Astros enjoying their fam as they celebrate the upcoming ALCS pic.twitter.com/5vJtllzHe2 David Nuo (@DavidNunoABC13) October 11, 2019Welcome to the world Noah pic.twitter.com/I7LXZScxR0 Josh James (@josh_james63) November 19, 2018EMBED >More News Videos Carlos Correa and Daniella Rodriguez both left Dodger Stadium with rings. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston Astros' ALDS win Thursday night over the Tampa Bay Rays was special for the team as they move on to the next round, but we can't forget about their families, who were also on the field celebrating.Jose Altuve's daughter, Melanie, ran to her daddy's arms. Altuve was among the players who had a great Game 5.Pitcher Gerrit Cole, who was cool on the mound, obviously had a lot to smile about as his strong performance helped the team lock up the series.Cole embraced his wife Amy, a former UCLA softball player, after the huge win.Josh James was also on the field with his family, including baby son Noah, who was born last November.Carlos Correa and his fiance, Daniella Rodriguez, were on the field along with just about everyone from the Astros organization.You'll remember Correa proposed to Rodriguez , who is a former Miss Texas USA, after the team won the World Series in 2017.Team owner Jim Crane says they're all one big family. "Family is what it is about, the team is a family and the family is the family, and we love seeing them out here and the kids running around and it can't be any more fun than that," Crane said.Though the Astros are inching closer to returning to the World Series, there is still work to do.They'll have just a day of rest before they take on the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series here in Houston.

That one run was already more than any that Verlander surrendered in Game 1.Avisail Garcia got on base with a single, and Ji-man Choi was walked by Verlander. Travis d'Arnaud and Joey Wendle both sent runners home to give the Rays a 3-0 lead early. Two of the three ground-outs went directly to the pitchers' mound.Altuve started the fourth inning with a lead-off single. Josh James replaced him.Jose Urquidy entered to pitch for the Astros in the fifth. Urquidy's day finished with 1.2 innings pitched, three hits and three strikeouts.The Astros continued using more pitchers Tuesday, with Joe Smith entering in the bottom of the seventh.

All I ask from coaches/managers, make sound decisions based on the best info you have at the time. That one run was already more than any that Verlander surrendered in Game 1.Avisail Garcia got on base with a single, and Ji-man Choi was walked by Verlander. Two of the three ground-outs went directly to the pitchers' mound.Altuve started the fourth inning with a lead-off single. Josh James replaced him.Jose Urquidy entered to pitch for the Astros in the fifth. Urquidy's day finished with 1.2 innings pitched, three hits and three strikeouts.The Astros continued using more pitchers Tuesday, with Joe Smith entering in the bottom of the seventh.

Springer homered to start the inning and lifted the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. Springer's 30th homer came off reliever Junior Guerra (8-5) and put the Astros ahead. Grandal's opposite-field shot to left, his 22nd homer of the season, gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Besides Grandal's homer, only one ball struck by Brewers batters left the infield. UP NEXTThe teams finish their two-game series with Astros RHP Zack Greinke (14-4, 2.99 ERA) facing Brewers RHP Jordan Lyles (9-8, 4.55 ERA).

HOUSTON - Ji-Man Choi put Tampa Bay ahead with a two-run double in the seventh, Travis d'Arnaud homered and drove in four, and the Rays beat the Houston Astros 9-8 Thursday to avoid a three-game sweep. Tommy Pham had an RBI single off Chris Devenski (2-3), and Choi brought in two more with a drive to center. Houston ended a seven-game winning streak, and the Rays snapped a season-high four-game road skid. D'Arnaud put Tampa Bay up 4-2 with a two-run homer in the fourth and added an RBI single in the sixth to tie it at 5. Houston again pulled within one run when Josh Reddick made it 8-7 with an RBI single in the seventh.

Martin Maldonado #12 receives a high five from George Springer #4 after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)HOUSTON - George Springer, Jose Altuve and Martn Maldonado homered to lead the Houston Astros to a 6-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night. Their early offensive surge came on a night Houston starter Aaron Sanchez didn't get out of the third inning. It was the second straight night the Tigers lost despite finishing with more hits than Houston. Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (15-4, 2.81) will make his fourth career start against his former team on Wednesday night.

Wade Miley has been an outstanding pickup for the Astros this season, but he, Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole need help, fast. The Astros, thanks to great depth, have avoided the need to go with an opening pitcher...until now. It is very likely his last opportunity as a starter this season as his recent starts have been brutal. Early in the year, most of the injuries came at the expense of the lineup, not the rotation. But unlike the guys at the plate, there is no Yourdan Alvarez waiting in the wings to save the pitching rotation.