Astros stand just one game back of the Mariners in the AL West

As the sun sets in downtown Houston, the city’s stars arrive at 713 Music Hall for the 2024 Houston Sports Awards!

Lance sat down with Lauren Kelly to chat about the big show, the Houston sports legends he's excited to meet, and his life outside of baseball.

KPRC 2 Insiders can join in on all the excitement at the 2024 Houston Sports Awards and KPRC 2 Wine Garden presented by Favorite Brands and Winesellers LTD.

Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and his wife, Kara McCullers, announced the birth of their second daughter.

Honoring Houston's best athletes. Find out how you can attend this star-studded event.

For the first time ever, sports fans across the Houston area will be able to purchase tickets to the next Houston Sports Award taking place in just a few weeks.

The Houston Sports Authority announced Wednesday the 7th annual Houston Sports Awards will be hosted by Houston Astros pitcher and two time World Series champion Lance McCullers Jr.

Houston Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr. is adding a new job title to his career resume: coffee shop owner.

Game 7. Two Words that resonate across the pro sports landscape.

Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu was suspended for two games and fined by Major League Baseball, which said he intentionally threw at Adolis García of the Texas Rangers during Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.

Lance and his friend/business partner Juan Carlos have opened the new beverage cart inside Minute Maid Park.

One of our favorite H-Town sports teams will be representing all the way at the White House Monday!

The Houston Astros said right-hand pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. will be out for the remainder of the 2023 season after having surgery on his right forearm.

McCullers details next steps and see what he has to say about the reunion with A.J. Hinch

With Lance McCullers saying he’ll miss the start of the year with elbow soreness, Houston’s starting pitcher depth should be examined.

Hundreds of Houston families lined up to take part in a Christmas tree giveaway on Wednesday night.

Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm helped the Philadelphia Phillies hit a World Series record-tying five home runs in a 7-0 win over the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the World Series.

Houston starter Lance McCullers Jr. became the first pitcher to allow five home runs in a World Series game, serving up long balls to Philadelphia's Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh, Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins in the first five innings of Game 3.

Alec Bohm hit the 1,000th home run in World Series history, and the Philadelphia Phillies quickly went to work on launching the next thousand.

The World Series is set to return to Philadelphia for the first time since 2009 when the Phillies host the Houston Astros in Game 3 on Monday night.

Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. wasn’t born in Houston, but he sure loves it now.

Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. was asked for a simple description of manager Dusty Baker.

The Houston Astros are off to the World Series for the fourth time in six seasons.

Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman delivered big hits and the Houston Astros advanced to the World Series again, finishing a four-game sweep of New York in the AL Championship Series with a 6-5 victory aided by another defensive gaffe from the Yankees.

Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman delivered big hits and the Houston Astros advanced to the World Series again, finishing a four-game sweep of New York in the AL Championship Series with a 6-5 victory aided by another defensive gaffe from the Yankees.

Cristian Javier and Houston’s bullpen combined on a three-hitter, Chas McCormick followed a dropped flyball with an early two-run homer and the Astros beat Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees 5-0 to take a 3-0 AL Championship Series lead.

Houston right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. sustained a small cut to his throwing elbow after being hit with a champagne bottle during the team’s celebration after winning the AL Division Series.

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.

Aledmys Díaz hit a two-run homer, Lance McCullers Jr. had a solid start and the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 5-2 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victory.

Lance McCullers Jr. continued to impress in his return from a forearm flexor strain, pitching into the sixth inning as the Houston Astros finished off a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Rookie Kyle Bradish pitched a gem, throwing eight strong innings before two relievers completed the four-hitter to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 2-0 win over the Houston Astros.

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.

Lance McCullers Jr. pitched six shutout innings in his season debut, Alex Bregman homered and Trey Mancini had three hits as the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 8-0.

Leody Taveras drove in a career-high five runs, including a bases-clearing double as part of a five-run 10th inning as the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 8-4.

Justin Verlander pitched one-run ball into the eighth inning and won his MLB-leading 14th game, Aledmys Díaz hit two homers and Yordan Alvarez slugged his 30th home run of the season as the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 11-1.

Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer early, and his tiebreaking RBI double in the eighth inning led the Houston Astros to a 4-2 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Cole Irvin allowed four hits over seven innings and the Oakland Athletics beat Houston Astros 4-2 for their first winning sweep in 32 series this season.

Justin Verlander became the major leagues’ first 13-game winner, striking out nine and topping 99 mph in his final inning to lead the Houston Astros over the Seattle Mariners 3-1.

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.

Yordan Alvarez threw out Hunter Dozier at the plate from just short of the warning track in left field to preserve a two-run, eighth-inning lead, then hit his 25th homer as the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 9-7.

Michael Brantley’s grand slam was one of three homers in a 10-run sixth inning that propelled the Houston Astros to a 13-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Jose Altuve hit a leadoff home run and José Urquidy tied a career high with 10 strikeouts to lead the Houston Astros to a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers.

Aledmys Díaz hit a grand slam, Jake Odorizzi threw five innings of one-hit ball and the Houston Astros beat the Detroit Tigers 5-0 for a four-game sweep and their seventh straight win.

We watched them rise, we watched them fall and we watched many of them leave Houston. However, some are ready to stay until their last breath, it seems.

Lance McCullers won't pitch in the World Series for the Houston Astros because of his forearm strain.

Houston Astros ace starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. let the media know Monday he will not be available to pitch during the World Series.

Framber Valdez will start for the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves.

Trailing 2-0 in the NL Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have the Atlanta Braves right where they want them.

The Dodgers are ready to start ace Max Scherzer in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series against Atlanta, a day after manager Dave Roberts scratched the veteran right-hander to get him an extra day of rest.

Lance McCullers Jr. is hopeful for a World Series comeback should the Astros advance. But Houston’s ace is also realistic, still digesting the diagnosis of a flexor pronator muscle strain.

Houston starter Luis García left Game 2 of the AL Championship Series in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox with right knee discomfort.

Houston Astros ace Lance McCullers is looking for ways to help the team off the field while sidelined with an arm injury during the AL Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox.

Dodgers ace Max Scherzer got the last three outs in the thrilling Game 5 of the NL Divsion Series and is now lined up to throw the first pitch for Los Angeles in the NL Championship Series.

The Astros released their finalized ALCS roster on Friday, and their ace, Lance McCullers Jr., is not listed.

Astros ace Lance McCullers Jr. has been left off the team’s roster for the AL Championship Series against Boston, a huge blow to a team looking to advance to the World Series for the second time in three seasons.

Here are things to know for Friday, Oct. 15:

One day before the Houston Astros begin their American League Championship Series with the Boston Red Sox, the status of star pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is still uncertain.

Boosted by a sharp start from Ian Anderson, Braves pitchers have now thrown 19 straight scoreless innings against Milwaukee in the NL Division Series.

Lance McCullers Jr. pitched scoreless ball into the seventh inning and Yordan Alvarez homered to lead the Houston Astros to a 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of their best-of-five AL Division Series.

The Houston Astros opened their 2021 postseason with a bang, dominating the Chicago White Sox in Game 1.

Shohei Ohtani scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and the Los Angeles Angels snapped a six-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros.

Rookie Jake Meyers homered and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros jumped on Yusei Kikuchi early and sailed to an 11-2 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Abraham Toro hit a grand slam against a player he was traded for last month, connecting in the eighth inning and sending the Seattle Mariners over the Houston Astros 4-0.

Alex Bregman had two hits and an RBI in his first action in more than two months, and he scored the winning run in the 10th inning on a groundout by Jake Meyers to lift the Houston Astros to a 6-5 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Alex Bregman had two hits and an RBI in his first action in more than two months, and he scored the winning run in the 10th inning on a groundout by Jake Meyers to lift the Houston Astros to a 6-5 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Yordan Álvarez homered and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros jumped on Yusei Kikuchi early and cruised to a 12-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Aledmys Díaz singled in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning and the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3, avoiding a four-game sweep.

Daniel Lynch allowed one run over seven sharp innings as the Kansas City Royals beat the Houston Astros 3-1.

Reid Detmers pitched six innings of three-hit ball to earn his first major league victory, and the Los Angeles Angels avoided a three-game sweep with a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros.

Lance McCullers Jr. threw 6 2/3 shutout innings and the Houston Astros withstood the raucous, heckling fans at Dodger Stadium to blank Los Angeles 3-0.

Lance McCullers Jr. threw 6 2/3 shutout innings and the Houston Astros withstood the raucous, heckling fans at Dodger Stadium to blank Los Angeles 3-0.

Jed Lowrie and Matt Olson drove in a run each to back a strong start by Frankie Montas and give the Oakland Athletics a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros on Thursday.

Carlos Correa had an RBI double to spark Houston's four-run third inning and the Astros defeated the Cleveland Indians 6-3.

Yordan Alvarez and Carlos Correa hit back-to-back homers in the sixth inning and the Houston Astros rallied past the Detroit Tigers 3-2 to a split a doubleheader.

Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr. threw 4 innings, giving up 1 run in the first inning before retiring the final 10 batters he faced.

Adolis García kept up his home run barrage, connecting twice and helping power the Texas Rangers past the Houston Astros 8-4.

Gerrit Cole starts against Houston on Thursday for the first time since leaving the Astros for a $324 million, nine-year contract with the Yankees before the 2020 season.

Lance McCullers Jr. struck out nine in seven shutout innings, and the Houston Astros beat Tampa Bay 9-2 in the first meeting of the teams since the Rays won Game 7 of last year’s AL Championship Series.

McCullers Jr. struggles against Tigers while dealing with illness Wednesday night.

Caris LeVert scored 27 points, Domantas Sabonis added 22 and Malcolm Brogdon fell just short of a triple-double as the Indiana Pacers beat the Houston Rockets 132-124.

Michael Fulmer earned his first win since 2018 and the Detroit Tigers built a big lead before holding off the short-handed Houston Astros 6-4 for a three-game sweep.

Yordan Álvarez hit a three-run homer and Houston kept thriving through all the boos, slugging its way to a third straight win in a 9-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and the Houston Astros have agreed to an $85 million, five-year contract covering 2022-26, a deal awaiting announcement by the team. McCullers agreed on Jan. 15 to a $6.5 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. “Houston is where I want to be," he said at spring training on Feb. 28. who broke his left ring finger in his first spring training appearance. McCullers is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA over seven innings in three spring training games.

HOUSTON – The Houston Astros have tendered contracts to three arbitration-eligible players: shortstop Carlos Correa, infielder Aledmys Díaz, and right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Additionally, the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Austin Pruitt. The deadline for Major League Baseball clubs to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players was 7 p.m. Wednesday. Selected by the Astros with the first-overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, Correa is entering his seventh Major League season with the Astros in 2021. He then made three starts for the Astros during the 2020 postseason, starting Game 1 of the ALDS at OAK, and Games 2 and 7 of the ALCS at TB. Pruitt, 31, was acquired by the Astros from Tampa Bay on Jan. 9, in exchange for two prospects, right-handed pitcher Peyton Battenfield and outfielder Cal Stevenson.

The Rays will face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Atlanta Braves in the World Series in Arlington, Texas, starting Tuesday night. Tampa Bay’s only other World Series appearance was in 2008, when it lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. Boston went on to win its first World Series in 86 seasons. Morton and McCullers became the first pair to pitch in the same winner-take-all postseason game as teammates and later start against each other in a winner-take-all game. Homer recordArozarena is only one homer away from matching the major league record of eight homers in any single postseason.

Arozarena homered again, 36-year-old Charlie Morton was brilliant against his former team and the Rays silenced the Houston Astros 4-2 to reach the World Series for just the second time. The Rays will face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Atlanta Braves in the World Series in Arlington, Texas, starting Tuesday night. Tampa Bay’s only other World Series appearance was in 2008, when it lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games. Under new manager Dusty Baker, the Astros were trying to reach the World Series for the third time in four seasons. “Cash made the right move again — shocker,” kidded ace Tyler Glasnow, now lined up to start the World Series opener.

HOUSTON – Raise your hand if you thought there would be a Game 7 of this 2020 American League Conference Series between the Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays. Houston won three straight and now are a win away from their third World Series in four years. Lance was solid Monday in Game 1 when he struck out 11 in seven innings giving up one earned run and four overall. He will be opposed by Rays ace and former Astros star Charlie Morton, who also happens to be good friends with McCullers. He needs his curveball to be a go-to pitch, high velocity and try to match the seven innings he gave manager Dusky Baker in Game 2.

George Springer and José Altuve delivered big hits, Framber Valdéz pitched six brilliant innings and the Astros beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the third straight time, 7-4 Friday to force a deciding Game 7 of the AL Championship Series. Despite blowing a 3-0 series lead, they remain one win from the second World Series in franchise history — and one loss from joining the 2004 Yankees in ignominy. Game 7 on Saturday night will feature the pitchers who started and finished Houston’s Game 7 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 World Series. He has yet to win a World Series as a manager. As a player, he helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win four straight World Series games in 1981 after falling behind the New York Yankees 0-2.

Houston chased starter Blake Snell in the fifth before Springer hit a go-ahead, two-run single and scored on Altuve’s double. The Red Sox stunned the New York Yankees to win the ALCS before winning their first World Series in 86 seasons. Game 7 on Saturday night will feature the pitchers who started and finished Houston’s Game 7 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 World Series. Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. will go for the Astros while 36-year-old Charlie Morton is expected to start for the Rays. As a player, he helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series in 1981 against the New York Yankees.

I’m sure he’ll do that.”The Astros have also had a lousy go with runners on base. THE KID AND THE ACEOff to an impressive start in his first postseason, rookie Ian Anderson tries to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead in the NL Championship Series when he faces Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw. CHANGE OF SOXAfter ending a 12-year playoff drought, the Chicago White Sox are looking for a new manager. The club announced Monday that Renteria won’t return after guiding the White Sox to a 35-25 record in his pandemic-shortened fourth season. Hahn said Renteria’s replacement probably will come from outside the White Sox.

“We were down 0-2 in the World Series last year with (ALCS Game 3 starter) José Urquidy and (ALCS Game 4 starter Zack) Greinke coming up next to pitch for us,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. The Astros have made three errors in two games, while the Rays have played sparkling defense all across the diamond. I’m sure he’ll do that.”After the second error, Correa moved into the spot normally occupied by Altuve in the shift. Altuve's first error put the Astros in a hole they never escaped, even with a superb start from McCullers. After getting nine hits and just one run in Game 1, the Astros ended their 13-inning scoreless streak with Correa's homer.

Asked which was bigger in the 4-2 victory against the Houston Astros, Margot said through a translator: “Definitely the home run. He played one game in right field in 2016 and the rest of his time in San Diego was spent in center. “To have the ability to know where you’re at, and kind of be able to say, ‘Forget it, I know I’m going to hit something but I’m going in,’ and still hang on to the ball, was really, really impressive,” manager Kevin Cash said. It was an unbelievable play that he made on the right field line, putting himself in a dangerous place. “Everybody is really, really supportive of him and just so happy for what he's accomplished.”Morton improved to 4-0 with a 0.90 ERA in the last two postseasons.

It followed a throwing error by second baseman José Altuve from shallow right field on a grounder by Ji-Man Choi. Game 3 in the best-of-7 series is Tuesday night, when the Rays will send Tyler Glasow against Houston’s José Urquidy. Nice playWhile the Astros struggled on defense, the Rays made some nice plays. Astros: Urquidy started Houston’s Game 3 loss to Oakland in the ALDS, giving up four runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings. That should line up Zack Greinke to start Game 4, although Baker wasn’t ready to commit to that on Monday.

HOUSTON – One game into the ALCS and some bad habits returned for the Astros. Monday, the Astros and Rays meet again, and going down 0-2 will not bode well for the Astros’ chances of returning to the World Series next week in Arlington. McCullers needs to go deep for Dusty Baker. He will be opposed by former Astros pitcher and 2017 World Series hero Charlie Morton. If they get down 0-2, the Astros will be in a hole that’s tough to climb out of.

The Los Angeles Dodgers work out in Globe Life Field before the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct 11, 2020. They will be allowed into Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, when the Dodgers and Braves meet in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series. Morton again faces his former team when he starts Game 2 of the AL Championship Series at Petco Park. Then in the World Series, McCullers started Game 7 and Morton wound up with the win. OPENING UPWalker Bueher, troublesome finger blister and all, starts the opener for the Dodgers when they play Atlanta in the NL Championship Series at Arlington, Texas.

Houston Astros' Carlos Correa, left, celebrates with George Springer after they defeated the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – A home run derby broke out during a hot, dry day at Dodger Stadium, and suddenly the Houston Astros have their swing and swagger back. “When you get the leadoff guy (Springer) getting on base every single time, good things are going to happen. Altuve's line-drive single to left scored Maldonado and Springer to put the Astros back in front, 6-5. Chris Bassitt put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on in the fifth with back-to-back singles by Springer and Altuve.

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2017, file photo, the Houston Astros celebrate after Game 7 of baseball's World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles. On Monday, Oct. 5, the Astros and the Oakland Athletics will open their ALDS matchup at Dodger Stadium. The coronavirus pandemic largely has protected the Astros from having public scorn heaped on them this season. He hasn't been particularly effective this season, and didn't start against them when the A's took seven of 10 games from the Astros this season. “We never did anything in our rotation to make him miss the Astros,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said.

And when you do that to anybody I think it takes the wind out of their sails,” Gonzales said. That’s it.”Gonzales was dominant on the mound, Evan White broke open a tight game with a three-run homer in the seventh and the Mariners beat the Astros 6-1 Monday night. The win also improved Seattle’s slim hopes of catching the Astros for second place and a guaranteed playoff spot. It was just the third victory for Seattle in its past 27 meetings with Houston over the last two seasons. McCullers struck out Jose Marmolejos and Luis Torrens, but couldn’t get White.