MLB

Hey guys, it’s Ari Alexander and we’re closing down the season with a loooong homestand. 8 straight games at home so if you don’t have playoff tickets, it’s a perfect time to see the Astros at Minute Maid for the last time this season. Of course since the playoffs are looming, let’s cover a few playoff topics including roster construction, the #4 starter and potential matchups.

Retired Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling this week sounded off on Yankees fans who still believe his "Bloody Sock Game" during the 2004 ALCS was staged.

Aaron Judge's homers almost always impress, and No. 61 on Wednesday night was no exception — a laser-beam shot that landed in the Blue Jays bullpen amidst huge cheers from the crowd in Toronto. Baseball history was made and the joy was palpable. The New York Yankees slugger had just tied Roger Maris for the American League, and what some fans consider the “real,” single-season home run record.

Jose Altuve hit two of Houston’s five home runs to lead the Astros to a 10-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night in a game where Yordan Alvarez left with an ankle injury.

Albert Pujols is one home run away from joining Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth as the only players in MLB history to hit 700 home runs.

'BOTTLE FULL OF BUB🥂': 50 Cent’s Le Chemin Du Roi, will now be branded as the official champagne of the Astros, and his Branson Cognac will be branded as the team’s official cognac.

The Yankees' Aaron Judge and the Cardinals' Albert Pujols are each closing in on a major home run record, bringing life to every at-bat as their teams near the end of the regular season.

Framber Valdez set an MLB record with his 25th straight quality start, and Yordan Alvarez and Martin Maldonado had four RBIs each to help the Houston Astros build an early lead in an 11-2 rout of the Oakland Athletics.

Hey guys, it’s Ari Alexander writing to you today.

Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer, Tyler Anderson threw seven sharp innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-0, becoming the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot this season.

The MLB announced rule changes for the 2023 season that will implement a pitch clock, limit defensive shifts and increase base size.

Most minor league players make less than the federal poverty line. The Major League Baseball Players Association has asked MLB to voluntarily recognize the unionizing efforts.

The Major League Baseball Players Association is asking MLB management to voluntarily accept the union as the bargaining agent for minor leaguers.

Bally Sports Ohio's Barry Larkin was frank about a missed opportunity during the 11th inning of the Reds' loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Major League Baseball Players Association head Tony Clark is confident that at least 30% of minor league players will sign union authorization cards in the coming days and weeks.

The Major League Baseball Players Association is attempting to unionize minor leaguers, reversing decades of opposition.

Singer Jessie James Decker wowed fans when she performed in sky-high ankle boots and tiny leather shorts that showed off her toned legs.

Correa makes an anticipated homecoming to Minute Maid Park in series vs. Astros.

Puerto Rico was full of talented young baseball players back in 2012 but there was one face and one name at the top of every amateur scout’s prospect list.

Hey guys, it’s Ari Alexander and the Astros are cruising along with a massive lead in the AL West, so not to sound overly negative but this newsletter is going to be all about nitpicking.

A young fan enjoying a glizzy at the Tigers-White Sox game in Chicago had an unfortunate turn of events.

Hey guys, it’s Ari Alexander, and now that the trade deadline is over - the Astros can start working to optimize their lineup and bullpen with their new additions. Don’t expect a whole lot to change, but the Astros are in a stronger position now than they were before Aug. 2. For this newsletter, I’m going to dive into some of the fans’ hottest questions right now. Some have answers, some don’t.

Sports Seriously: MLB insiders Bob Nightengale and Steve Gardner examine if the Yankees fixed their issues prior to the trade deadline and if they're truly ready for a deep October run.

Sports Seriously: MLB insiders Bob Nightengale and Steve Gardner break down the Nationals' trade of Juan Soto how they could be better for it in the long run.

Hey guys, it’s Ari freshly coming out of my trade deadline bunker where I spent the past week or so glued to my phone, texting with a number of MLB sources to try to figure out JUST WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE ASTROS AT THE DEADLINE!?

Ahead of the Tuesday MLB trade deadline, the Houston Astros are indeed interested in Washington Nationals 1B Josh Bell, multiple sources tell KPRC 2.

Hey KPRC 2 Insiders, it’s Ari Alexander. I just got back from Los Angeles where I spent three days covering the Astros at the All-Star Game and festivities. I got to talk with Justin Verlander, Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez along with Dusty Baker plus a couple of other local guys including Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals/The Woodlands HS), Justin Crawford (Phillies Draftee/Son of Carl Crawford) and Ivan Melendez (Diamondbacks Draftee/Texas).

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred defended the sport’s treatment of minor leaguers, prompting immediate criticism from the players’ advocacy group.

What would Kyle Tucker do if he wasn’t a Major League Baseball player? What helps him feel better after a tough loss? KPRC 2 sports anchor Ari Alexander took questions asked by KPRC 2 Insiders and posed them to Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker at a media event ahead of Tuesday’s MLB All-Star game in Los Angeles.

The McGwire family is set to see the other side of things in one of baseball’s best rivalries.

Leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee have asked baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to explain the impact of potential legislation stripping the sport’s antitrust exemption from covering the sport’s relationship with minor league players.

Justin Verlander struck out 10 in six scoreless innings to post his MLB-leading 12th win as the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0.

Justin Verlander struck out 10 in six scoreless innings to post his MLB-leading 12th win as the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0.

Howard Bryant's new biography tells the captivating story of the Hall of Famer who holds the MLB records for runs and stolen bases, and how he helped change the game forever.

The Houston Astros called up catcher Korey Lee, their 2019 first round pick, on Friday, after placing fellow catcher Jason Castro on the injured list due to left knee discomfort.

Ahead of the Astros Thursday win at Minute Maid Park against the Yankees, KPRC 2 sports director Randy McIlvoy and sports anchor/reporter Ari Alexander took a few minutes to chat about their thoughts on the season so far.

Two of the top Houston Astros players are atop the American League leader board for All-Star votes, according to an update released Monday.

The Houston Astros have activated rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña from the injured list and optioned outfielder Chas McCormick to Triple-A Sugar Land.

On the same day where the Astros announced his six-year contract extension, Yordan Alvarez was named American League Player of the Week.

It appears the 2017 Houston Astros World Series commemorative banner is missing from the plaza right outside Minute Maid Park.

Baseball celebrated the life and legacy of Lou Gehrig on the 81st anniversary of the Hall of Famer's death.

Following the Minnesota Twins' game on Monday afternoon, Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said star shortstop Carlos Correa has tested positive for COVID-19.

Kody Clemens, son of Major League Baseball great Roger Clemens, is getting the call-up to join the Detroit Tigers in the big leagues.

The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs have been nothing short of spectacular. FTW's Andy Nesbitt shares what he thinks would be the dream matchup for the final.

The former MLB star is now a partial owner of the Professional Fighters League, or PFL, after he contributed to a $30 million funding round.

The storyline of Carlos Correa facing his former Houston Astros teammates will have to wait.

One day after Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker's historic 2000th win, the City of Houston honored him by naming May 4 as "Dusty Baker Day."

It was a historic night Tuesday at Minute Maid Park, as Astros manager Dusty Baker became the 12th ever to win 2,000 games as a Major League Baseball manager.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is on the cusp of hitting 2,000 career wins as a Major League Baseball manager, and it's truly a historic accomplishment.

Trevor Bauer has denied the allegations. In February, the L.A. District Attorney's Office said it would not criminally charge the pitcher.

The New York Mets are upset after several of their hitters have been hit by pitches over the first few weeks of the season.

Chris Bassitt pitched six strong innings, and the New York Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 for their franchise-best sixth straight series win to start a season.

The Detroit Tigers designated hitter became the 33rd player in the league to reach the milestone. Rockies shortstop José Iglesias ran over to hug his former teammate during the game.

A recent report ranked states by the number of MVP candidates they've produced across...

Insiders! Enter here for your chance to win a new Houston Astros "Space City" jersey and "Space City" souvenirs!

Alyssa Nakken of the San Francisco Giants became the first woman to coach on the field in major league baseball history after regular first-base coach Antoan Richardson was ejected from the game.

Crowds cheered as the first woman to manage an MLB affiliated team took home a victory for the New York Yankees-affiliated Tampa Tarpons on Friday.

Baseball’s regular season begins this week, so that means the abbreviated spring training session for teams, which started late due to the offseason lockout, is over.

Fans travel from around the country to attend Opening Day at Wrigley Field.

Opening Day is here and it’s time to talk Astros as the 2022 season gets rolling in Anaheim on Thursday night.

A look at where Corpus Christi-area stars are playing professional baseball to start the 2022 season.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila goes in depth April 5, 2022 about the Austin Meadows trade.

Detroit Tigers new outfield Austin Meadows talks April 5, 2022 about his trade to the team from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Milwaukee catcher Pedro Severino was suspended for 80 games on Tuesday following a positive drug test, the fourth major leaguer penalized in two days. Severino tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Clomiphene, the commissioner's office said. Severino will lose about half his $1.9 million salary.

Outfielder/first baseman Danny Santana, pitcher Richard Rodríguez and infielder José Rondón were suspended for 80 games each Monday in the first discipline since the major league drug testing program resumed March 11 following a 99-day suspension during the lockout. The tests resulted from urine samples taken before the lockout started Dec. 2, but MLB concluded it could not announce discipline during the lockout, a person familiar with the testing program said, speaking on condition of anonymity because that detail was not announced. Santana, 31, is an eight-year major league veteran who hit .181 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 38 games for the Boston Red Sox last season.

Fantasy sports fans took the league to court over a sign-stealing scandal. The result was dispiriting.

Pitchers, catchers and batters will be able to appeal calls from human umpires to “robo umps” in the Low-A Southeast League this season, while pitch clocks, anti-shift rules and larger bases will be tried in the minors ahead of possible big league use in 2023.

The future Pro Hall of Fame quarterback and seven-time Super Bowl champion announced on Twitter Sunday that he will come out retirement and play his 23rd season.

Sports Seriously: While most of the sports world thought Tom Brady was ready to ride his 7 Super Bowl wins off into the sunset, Bills quarterback Josh Allen was never buying it.

Houston Astros star Alex Bregman caught up 1-on-1 with KPRC 2 sports director Randy McIlvoy upon the news that the MLB lockout is ending.

Following a wave of cancellations for the upcoming season due to negotiations, MLB owners and players have reached a tentative agreement Thursday on a new collective bargaining agreement, ending a 99-day lockout, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

According to multiple reports, the Major League Baseball lockout is ending and baseball is on its way back.

After the sides narrowed many economic differences but became bogged down over management's attempt to gain an international amateur draft.

The sides narrowed many economic differences but became bogged down over management's attempt to gain an international amateur draft.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred canceled 93 more games Wednesday, appearing to cut off the chance to play a full 162-game schedule and threatening locked out players with loss of salary and service time. As the sides narrowed many economic differences to a small margin, they became bogged down over management's attempt to gain an international amateur draft. In the meantime, at 6:30 p.m. on the 98th day of the lockout, Manfred announced two additional series had been canceled through April 13.

Franchises like the Astros are behind MLB’s lockout to restructure baseball expenses. [Opinion]

The money will be distributed to stadium workers and staff — including concession crews, electricians, janitors, ushers, security and transportation staff in addition to its broadcast crews.

Miami Marlins chairman and principal owner Bruce Sherman said in a statement Monday that the organization and CEO Derek Jeter have “agreed to officially end their relationship” after four MLB seasons.

Baseball negotiations have resumed with new intensity in an effort to salvage opening day.

Concordia Lutheran grad Adam Oller has gone from almost retired to on the cusp of cementing a spot in the major leagues with the New York Mets.

Minor League Baseball has its first female manager.

This year marked somewhat of a return to normalcy in the sports world.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said owners imposed a lockout “out of a desire to drive the process forward to an agreement now.” MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark pushed back on that sentiment as labor talks stalled.

There have been major free agent signings with a MLB lockout looming. What does this mean for Carlos Correa? KPRC 2's Randy McIlvoy and Ari Alexander discuss.

FOX 13's Cynthia Smoot has been covering Winter the tailless dolphin for years -- long before the rescued dolphin became a movie star and CMA icon. Here's how it all began in April of 2007.

Members of ChopStars join The Factor and say putting blame solely on Travis Scott is easier said than done.

Our Isiah Factor panel discusses the tragedy at AstroWorld, where eight people died during Travis Scott’s set.

Player organizations in the NBA, NHL, NFL, WNBA and MLB were sent an open letter by the organization's national and state presidents.

"Until the legislation is overturned, Texas isn't safe for anyone," the letter reads.

Andrew Friedman is headed into an offseason filled with crucial decisions involving the Los Angeles Dodgers’ big-name free agents, a rebuild of the starting rotation and Trevor Bauer’s future with the team. As always, Friedman is guided by the ultimate goal of the monied Dodgers, saying, “The number one objective is to put ourselves in the best position to win in 2022.” After coming within two wins of reaching the World Series for the fourth time in five years, the Dodgers' president of baseball operations defined the team's postseason as “our struggle to consistently score runs.”

Once the current labor contract expires on Dec. 1, free agent signings, spring training and possibly the start of next season could be delayed.

Baseball’s ninth work stoppage and first in 26 years appears almost certain to start Dec. 2, freezing the free-agent market and threatening the start of spring training in February. Free agents can start signing with any team on the sixth day following the World Series, and this year’s group includes Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Freddie Freeman, Trevor Story, Max Scherzer, Marcus Semien, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Michael Conforto and Kevin Gausman.

Pitch clocks could help speed up the game so kids could watch till the end on school nights.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame held its first ceremony in nearly two years Wednesday.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame held its first ceremony in nearly two years Wednesday.

The new Bayfront Park Fountain offers a spot to cool off with mangonadas and more.

Corpus Christi area baseball professionals stayed put during the active MLB trade deadline this week.

Authorities say four people have been arrested after a 'report of a suspicious occurrence' at a downtown Denver hotel that is close to the upcoming MLB All-Star Game.