Sorry To All Of The Mothers Who Watched; #Astros Blanked By Reds 5-0

Today was only the 4th time in Yordan Alvarez's career that he struck out at least four times in a single game. FYI, he has never struck out five times in a game. The crazy part? The other 3 games all occurred in 2021 within a roughly three-month stretch (4/9, 5/25, and 7/16).

A Costly Error Stings; #Astros Lose 3-1 To Reds

The #Astros Launch Briefing: May 6, 2026 - Imai, Valdez, Ohtani

#Astros Brice Matthews now has 8 hits in his last 20 plate appearances, including a double and 2 home runs. Had only 6 hits in his first 50 plate appearances this season (3 doubles and a home run).

Team OPS in Wins and Losses in 2026 And these Astros continue to depress me...

To go even a bit further, the Astros 7.68 ERA in losses is the most in baseball by a wide margin. The Nationals have the second-highest ERA (7.05) in their 16 losses. For some additional context, the A's had the highest ERA in losses last season (7.09).

Astros pitching staff in wins (10): 90 IP, 62 H, 32 ER, 3.20 ERA, 46 BB, 115 SO Astros pitching staff in losses (17): 145 1/3 IP, 179 H, 124 ER, 7.68 ERA, 101 BB, 134 SO

Sigh.

Peter Lambert (HOU) struck out eight and allowed four earned runs over five innings

Home Sweet Home? Rockies at #Astros, 4-14-26, 7:10 CT Game 18 Preview and Thread

And Brandon Bielak is back with the Astros.

Was Anyone Actually Surprised? #Astros Lose 6-2, Swept By Mariners

What Kind Of Pain Can We Expect Today? #Astros at Mariners, 4-13-26, 3:10 CT Game 17 Preview and Thread

If you're wondering, the 2026 Astros lead franchise history in unintentional walks issued with 96 in the first 16 games to start a season. There are only six other seasons in which an Astros pitching staff has issued at least 70 walks in a season's first 16 games.

The 2026 Astros are the 11th team dating back to 1898 to issue at least 96 unintentional walks in the first 16 games of a season. FYI, only one team (1925 St. Louis Browns) finished with a winning record, and none qualified for the postseason. h/t @baseball-reference.com @stathead.com

So, which one of these injured pitchers are willing to try Roy Oswalt’s spark plug treatment?

Rest In Peace, Phil Garner: #Astros at Mariners, 4-12-26, 3:10 CT Game 16 Preview and Thread

Cam Smith in 2026 (61 PA) • .302 AVG • .393 OBP • .547 SLG • 175 wRC+ • .245 ISO • 15.8% Barrel% • 1.1 fWAR #Astros

Pitching Depth Is An Illusion: #Astros at Mariners, 4-11-26, 8:40 CT Game 15 Preview and Thread

In 2026... Christian Vázquez: 4 extra-base hits (3 doubles, 1 home run) Yainer Diaz: 1 extra-base hit (1 double)

Something’s Gotta Give in Seattle: #Astros at Mariners, 4-10-26, 8:40 CT Game 14 Preview and Thread

MLB Teams by FIP and wRC+, April 10, 2026 #Astros: 144 wRC+, best in baseball (very good!) 5.18 FIP, second-highest in baseball (not good!)

The Astros might be down at the moment, but we’re not. We have big plans for @launchanglehou.bsky.social Check out the guide to learn more about the community we’re building. And a shoutout to @mhatter106.bsky.social for creating this guide and all of his improvements in making the site better!

Guide to The Launch Angle #Astros

Javier's Visible "Invisiball" and 100 Posts: #Astros at Rockies, 4-8-26, 2:10 CT Game 13 Preview and Thread

Teams by FIP and wRC+ entering today (04.06.26) The Astros having the best offense in baseball thus far remains a surprise to me.

He Is Risen!

The Astros starting rotation has now allowed 25 earned runs to start the 2026 season, the most in baseball after today. Cristian Javier is responsible for 12 of those earned runs.

MLB Team Leaders In Runs Scored 1. Astros - 39 (lol) 2. Brewers - 37 3. Nationals - 33 t4. Angels - 29 t4. Rangers - 29

To no one’s surprise, but Isaac Paredes is seeing an average of 5 Pit/PA. But Brice Matthews appears to have really taken the coaching to heart so far, seeing about 5.56 Pit/PA thus far. Again, small samples this year and last, but he only saw 3.81 Pit/PA in ‘25.

The 2026 season is only five games old, so insert your favorite sample size disclosure here, but this is an encouraging start. Astros hitters in ‘25 (full season): 7.7% BB% 3.76 pitches per plate appearance Astros hitters in ‘26: 12.6% BB% 3.96 pitches per plate appearance

Tonight is Autism Awareness Night at Daikin Park, a meaningful day for manager Joe Espada and his 10-year-old daughter, Viviana. From two years ago - www.nytimes.com/athletic/537...

Astros-Red Sox probables: Mon: Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Ranger Suárez Tues: Hunter Brown vs. Brayan Bello Wed: Mike Burrows vs. Garrett Crochet

Hunter Brown, and much more recently Mike Burrows, have increased sinker usage against RHH. It’s only one appearance, but Kai-Wei Teng might adopt a similar approach with the #Astros. Sinker % vs RHH in 2025: 16.7% Sinker % vs Angels RHH last night: 28% Something to watch.

I’m a big Javier fan, and it’s only one start, but I’m increasingly doubtful for a return to his 2021-22 peak.

Who Doesn't Love A Good Comeback? #Astros Strike Back For 11-9 Win Over Angels

José Soriano Showed Where Cam Smith Needs To Improve #Astros

I have a feeling pitchers are going to target Cam Smith down in the zone until proven otherwise. Attack zones 7, 8, 9, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 in 2025: .215/.262/.312, 31% Whiff%, -20 BRV (794 pitches) In all other attack zones: .254/.353/.398, 26.8% Whiff%, 12 BRV (1,230 pitches)

Hunter is feeling that Opening Day adrenaline.

Angels at #Astros, 3-26-26, 3:10 CT Opening Day Game 1 Thread and Discussion

Opening Series Preview: Angels vs #Astros

The #Astros 2026 Opening Day Roster Is Set

Batting Around: Ignition - The Launch Angle Staff Predicts the 2026 Houston #Astros Season

Cardinals at #Astros, 3-9-26, 12:05 CT Spring Training Game Thread and Discussion

#Astros Bring Back Christian Vázquez On A Minor League Deal

Nationals at #Astros, 3-6-26, 12:05 CT Spring Training Game Thread and Discussion

Insert your typical sample size warning about Spring Training here, but it isn't a surprise that the Astros have emphasized Mike Burrows' sinker in lieu of his 4-seam.

#Astros Jeremy Peña Fractures Finger, Will Be Reevaluated In Two Weeks