Houston Astros: MLB Schedule, Rivalries, Tickets, and More
Starting with their World Series title in 2017, the Houston Astros have spent the last handful of years as one of the preeminent teams in baseball. Once again, Houston is one of the top teams in baseball in 2022 and a bonafide contender to win the World Series again. That means now is a great time to get Astros tickets because every game from here on out will be meaningful as the team strives to win an AL West title for the fifth time in six years and finish with the best record in the American League. On top of that, the Astros schedule has plenty of games left in 2022 against top teams and bitter rivals. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the Astros schedule coming down the stretch of the 2022 season.
The Stretch Run
The Astros head into the final stretch of the 2022 season in a rather enviable position, as they currently hold a double-digit lead atop the AL West and look poised to cruise to the division title. With a playoff spot all but secure, the biggest storyline to watch is whether the Astros can secure the top seed in the American League. Houston has trailed the Yankees for the best record in the American League for most of the season. But with the Yankees struggling in late July and early August, these two teams are neck and neck for the AL’s best record. Both teams will likely receive a bye in MLB’s new playoff format. But if the Astros meet the Yankees in the ALCS for the third time in the last six years, the home-field advantage could be important, making every game for the rest of the season meaningful.
Rivalry Matchups
In addition to every game being important for home-field advantage, the Astros have some intriguing rivalry games on the horizon. Between August 19 and 21, they will play three games against the Braves in a rematch of last year’s World Series that Atlanta won in six games. Houston also has a stretch in late August and the first part of September when they’ll play 15 of 18 games against their AL West rivals. All of those games are against the Rangers, Angels, and Athletics, which should open the door for the Astros to get hot and string wins together.
The Rest of the Schedule
In addition to playing the Braves and several division rivals, the Astros also have series against the Twins, Orioles, Tigers, Rays, Diamondbacks, and Phillies over the last six weeks of the season. A home series against Minnesota is a potential preview. The same is true of Houston’s six head-to-head matchups with the Rays, a team the Astros beat in the 2019 ALDS but lost to in the 2020 ALCS. It’s also important not to overlook seven head-to-head games with the Orioles, who have come out of nowhere this year to become a legitimate playoff contender and could have a lot on the line when they play the Astros.
Award Watch
In addition to Houston’s championship aspirations, the Astros have several players in the running for postseason awards, adding another subplot to the latter part of the 2022 campaign. For starters, Justin Verlander is again in the running for Cy Young honors in the American League. Verlander has won the Cy Young twice before, most recently in 2019 when he was pitching for the Astros. The 39-year-old has a legitimate chance to reach 20 wins on the season while also finishing with an ERA under 2.00 and a WHIP under 1.00. If Verlander reaches those milestones, he’ll be tough to beat in the Cy Young race. Also, because he missed the entire 2021 season because of Tommy John surgery, Verlander is arguably the leading candidate for Comeback Player of the Year.
Meanwhile, DH Yordan Alvarez must be considered a serious MVP candidate. The 25-year-old slugger has taken his game to another level this year, posting an OPS over 1.000. He’s on track to set a new career-high in home runs and always has a chance to hit over .300. While Aaron Judge of the Yankees has been the MVP frontrunner in the American League for most of the seasons, Alvarez is set to give him a run for his money over the final weeks of the season. If the Astros play well late in the year and finish with the best record in the American League, it will surely boost Alvarez’s case for MVP, especially if he’s also able to finish the season strong.
Tips on Getting Astros Tickets
Needless to say, there are many reasons to watch the Astros closely and try to get your hands on tickets during the final weeks of the 2022 MLB season. To find the best deals possible, consider going to a game on a weeknight - as demand for tickets in Houston is even higher during the weekend. Also, keep in mind that games against losing teams like the Angels, Athletics, and Diamondbacks should be cheaper than when the Astros face the Twins, Orioles, or Rays. The three home games against the Rays between September 30 and October 2 could feature some of the most expensive tickets of the season. Finally, don’t be afraid to wait until the last minute and buy tickets a few hours before game time, as this is when the best deals on Astros tickets can be found.