2019 Houston Astros season


The 2019 Houston Astros season was the List of [Houston Astros seasons|58th season] for the Major League Baseball franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 55th as the Astros, seventh in both the American League and AL West division, and 20th at Minute Maid Park. They entered the season as having set a franchise record with 103 wins, defending two-time AL West champions, both with 100 or more wins, an unprecedented feat for Houston. Having reached a second consecutive 2018 [American League Championship Series|American League Championship Series], their 2018 season ended in a 4-games-to-1 loss to the eventual World Series champion Boston Red Sox.
Starting the 2019 season, the Houston Astros began airing their weekly night games on KTRH 740. On March 28, Justin Verlander made his second Opening Day start for the Astros at Tropicana Field, who defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 5–1. Outfielder and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez made his major league debut in June, set a number of records and rare feats, and proceeded to win the AL Rookie of the Month Award each of his first three months.
For the third consecutive season, the Astros sent six players to the All-Star Game held at Progressive Field in Cleveland, the most in baseball, including four starters: Alex Bregman, Michael Brantley, Justin Verlander, and George Springer; pitchers Gerrit Cole and Ryan Pressly were also selected.
At the July trade deadline, the Astros acquired starting pitchers Zack Greinke—adding a seventh 2019 All-Star to their roster—and Aaron Sanchez. In his Astros debut on August 3, Sanchez tossed the first six innings of a combined no-hitter versus the Seattle Mariners, while Greinke was 8–1 with a 3.02 earned run average over 10 starts for Houston. On September 1, Verlander pitched his third career no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays] while striking out 14. The 12th and 13th no-hitters in club history, it marked the first time that Houston authored two in the same season. Verlander also recorded his 3,000th career strikeout on September 28, and, along with Cole, became just the second teammate duo to achieve the 300 strikeout club, joining the 2002 Arizona Diamondbacks.
On September 18, the Astros clinched a postseason berth against the 2019 [Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers] and became the first team since the 2002—2004 New York Yankees to produce three consecutive 100-win seasons. On September 22, the Astros clinched their third straight AL West title. For the first time in franchise history, the Astros led baseball with the best regular-season record of 107–55, surpassing the club record of 103 wins set the season before. The AL West title signaled the 13th playoff appearance—the fourth since moving to the American League—and 10th division title in franchise history.
In the American League Division Series, Houston defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by a margin of three games to two. They proceeded to defeat the Yankees in the ALCS by a margin of four games to two, capped by ALCS MVP Jose Altuve's deep series-ending, walk-off home run. Hence, the Astros secured their second AL pennant, third league pennant overall, and a trip to the World Series for the second time in three years. However, Houston were defeated by the Washington Nationals in seven games.
Following the season, Verlander was recognized with his second career Cy Young Award, while becoming the fourth Astro to garner the award. The Astros led the league with a record six players selected to 2019's inaugural All-MLB Team, including Altuve, Alvarez, Bregman, Cole, Greinke and Verlander. Bregman, Springer and Greinke were each honored with Silver Slugger Awards, while Greinke also earned a Gold Glove. Meanwhile, Alvarez was opted as the AL Rookie of the Year.
This was the Astros' final season with A. J. Hinch as manager and Jeff Luhnow as general manager; both were fired in January 2020 after MLB investigators confirmed that the team had used electronics to steal opponents’ signs back in the 2017 regular season.

Off-season

Following the 2018 season, the Houston Astros announced that their weekly night games would air on KTRH 740.
On March 24, 2019, the Astros signed right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander to a two-year, $66 million contract extension to keep him with Houston through the 2021 season.

Regular season

Summary

March—April

;Opening Day starting lineup
In the March 28 contest versus the Tampa Bay Rays, Justin Verlander made his 11th career Opening Day start, and second consecutive for the Astros, earning a 5–1 victory versus reigning Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.
On April 3 versus the Texas Rangers, Carlos Correa collected the 500th hit of his career.
In April 9 game against the New York Yankees, Jose Altuve connected for his 100th career home run off Jonathan Loáisiga in a 6–3 win. Altuve became the 16th player in Astros history to reach 100 home runs. On April 12, Altuve connected for his second career grand slam, and first since 2014, in a 10–6 win over the Seattle Mariners. He hit another home run the next night off Félix Hernández, homering for the fifth consecutive game and sixth home run in that span. Altuve was the first Astro to hit a home run in five consecutive games since Morgan Ensberg's franchise-record six consecutive games in 2006. Verlander, the starting pitcher, struck out eight of the first 10 batters that he faced and 11 of 20 overall. He allowed one run in six innings.
From April 20–30, Alex Bregman tied a club record by drawing at least one base on balls in each of 11 consecutive contests. Bregman drew 13 total walks with this active streak, while slashing.229 /.440 /.457 /.897. He also slammed 2 home runs. First achieved by Jimmy Wynn from July 6–15, 1969, Joe Morgan replicated the feat for Houston from July 6–20, 1970.

May

With rain seeping through the roof on Minute Maid Park on May 9, Josh Reddick singled in the game-tying run that led to a 4–2 win over Texas. Further, he robbed former Astro Hunter Pence of an imminent three-run blast. George Springer went 5-for-5 on May 12, including clubbing two home runs to lead a 15–5 win over the Rangers. The performance also helped Houston pull off a four-game sweep of Texas.
Closer Roberto Osuna converted his 25th consecutive save on May 24, breaking a club record. The streak had started the previous August 18, surpassing Brad Lidge. Osuna's feat remained the franchise longest until Josh Hader converted 29 consecutive from April 7 to August 29, 2024.
With injuries stacking up, on May 29 shortstop Carlos Correa sustained a bruised rib during a massage session. He was forced to join fellow All-Stars Springer and Jose Altuve on the injured list and expected to miss four to six weeks.
On May 30, A. J. Hinch won his 500th game as manager.

June

On June 9, Yordan Alvarez made his major league debut versus the Baltimore Orioles. He went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in his debut. The following game, Alvarez again homered, this time versus Matt Albers of the Milwaukee Brewers. He became the first Astro to homer in both of his first two games.
Alvarez became the fourth player in MLB history to hit four home runs in his first five career games when he homered off Clayton Richard of the Toronto Blue Jays, joining Trevor Story, Yasiel Puig and Mike Jacobs. On June 23, Alvarez hit a 2-run home run for his seventh home run of the season in only 12 games, establishing an Astros franchise record. He also became the first player in MLB history to drive in 16 runs in his first 12 games.

July

Yuli Gurriel became the first Astro to score a run and RBI in seven consecutive games, and the fifth to homer in five consecutive games on July 7, including a game-tying grand slam in an 11–10 win versus the Los Angeles Angels season|Los Angeles Angels]. He won the AL Player of the Week Award for the week ending July 8, his second weekly honor. He homered six times in all five of the Astros games, collecting nine hits with an OPS of 1.812.
For the third successive season, six players represented Houston at the All-Star Game, hosted at Progressive Field in Cleveland, the most in baseball. Four starters were named, including Alex Bregman, Michael Brantley, Justin Verlander, and George Springer. Pitchers Gerrit Cole and Ryan Pressly also were reserves.
During a contest versus the St. Louis Cardinals on July 28, Jose Altuve homered for his 1,500th career hit, one of three hits in a 6–2 win that afternoon, in his 1,190th career game. The only players in the divisional play era to reach the milestone faster were Ichiro Suzuki, Wade Boggs, Kirby Puckett, Nomar Garciaparra, Tony Gwynn and Derek Jeter.
For the month of July, Gurriel batted.398,.427 OBP,.837 SLG, 18 runs scored, seven doubles, 12 home runs, 31 RBIs over 24 games.
Prior to the trade deadline on July 31, the Astros made three separate trades. From the Arizona Diamondbacks, they acquired right-handed pitcher Zack Greinke for right-handers J. B. Bukauskas and Corbin Martin, outfielder Seth Beer and infielder Joshua Rojas. From the Toronto Blue Jays, the Astros received right-handers Joe Biagini and Aaron Sanchez and minor league OF Cal Stevenson for OF Derek Fisher. Additionally, the Astros sent catcher Max Stassi to the Los Angeles Angels for minor league outfielders Rainier Rivas and Raider Uceta.
MLB named three Astros as winners of three of four AL monthly awards for July, including Gurriel as Player of the Month, Gerrit Cole as Pitcher of the Month, and Alvarez as Rookie of the Month.

Sanchez—Harris—Biagini—Devenski combined no-hitter

On August 3, Sanchez and Biagini, both making their Astros debuts, tossed part of a combined no-hitter of the Seattle Mariners, along with Will Harris and Chris Devenski, to lead a 9–0 win. It was the twelfth no-hitter in club history overall, the second combined, and first no-hitter for each pitcher. Sanchez started and worked the first six innings with six strikeouts and two walks allowed, and Harris, Biagini, and Devenski each followed with one inning apiece. The Astros lineup got 15 hits, with Jose Altuve connecting for his 18th home run, and Michael Brantley went 3-for-5 with four RBI and two doubles.
This no-hitter was the first for the Astros since August 21, 2015, by Mike Fiers, a 3–0 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Houston pitched their first combined no-hitter on June 11, 2003, a six-man effort started by Roy Oswalt at the original Yankee Stadium, which resulted in an 8–0 victory.
Just four weeks later, Verlander pitched Houston's next no-hitter.

Rest of August

On August 4, Verlander struck out 10 batters over 6 innings in a 3–1 win over the Mariners. With this 10-K performance, Verlander surpassed 200 strikeouts in a season for the ninth time in his career. He joined Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Tom Seaver, Pedro Martinez, and Bob Gibson as the only pitchers with nine or more seasons of 200+ strikeouts. All but Clemens and Verlander were in the Hall of Fame.
In a 14–3 romp over the Colorado Rockies on August 7, Gurriel homered and tied J. R. Towles with eight RBIs for the club record in one game.
The Astros set a franchise record with 23 runs scored on August 10 at Camden Yards versus the Baltimore Orioles, In the 23–2 win, they also set the franchise record for extra base hits with 13, including six home runs. Three of the home runs came via rookie Yordan Alvarez, including a grand slam. With a career-high seven runs driven in, his total stood at 51 to establish the major league record for the first 45 games.
On August 15, Carlos Correa hit his 100th career home runs in 7–6 loss to the Athletics season|Athletics] at Oakland Coliseum. He joined Cal Ripken Jr. and Alex Rodriguez as the only major league shortstops to hit 100 career home runs before their 25th birthday. He was also the youngest Astro to hit the milestone home run.
Sanchez was removed from his fourth start for the Astros on August 20 after innings due to pectoral muscle tightness, and later underwent surgery, prematurely ending his season.

Justin Verlander's no-hitter

In the September 1 contest versus the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, Verlander pitched his third career no-hitter, the second of the season for the Astros, and 13th in team history. He allowed one baserunner, a walk to Cavan Biggio in the first inning, and struck out 14 batters. The Astros' only runs came on a two-run home run by Abraham Toro in the top of the ninth inning. This was also Verlander's second career no-hitter against the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, making him just the third pitcher of the modern era to no-hit the same team twice, and the first to pitch both no-hitters against the same team on the road. He is the sixth pitcher to throw three or more no-hitters in his career.
With the Sanchez—Harris—Biagini—Devenski combined no-hitter on August 3, along with Verlander's on September 1, the 2019 Astros became the 15th MLB squad to assemble multiple no-hitters within the same campaign—also tying the MLB record. The first in franchise history, they were the 10th club in AL history. In 2022, the Astros replicated this feat, establishing the MLB record for shortest gap between such seasons. Overall, the Boston Red Sox franchise has the most campaigns of this type of achievement, with 3.

Rest of September

On September 7, Verlander continued his dominance, reaching 32 consecutive batters retired, a streak that established an Astros franchise record and was tied by teammate Ryan Pressly in 2022.
On September 8, Gerrit Cole struck out 15 batters over eight innings in a 21–1 victory over the Seattle Mariners. He became just the second pitcher to strike out 14 or more hitters in three consecutive games, joining Pedro Martínez in 1999. It was the sixth outing of the season of at least 10 strikeouts and no walks for Cole, tying the major league record. The 15 strikeouts tied Verlander's Minute Maid Park record, set earlier in the season on June 12 versus the Brewers. It was Cole's 12 consecutive decision won, dating back to May 27, with the Astros going 16–2 in those 18 starts.
The Astros established a major league record on September 9 by hitting six home runs within the first two innings of a 15–0 rout of the A's. Robinson Chirinos and Yordan Alvarez each homered twice, and Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, and Michael Brantley all added home runs to give the Astros a club record-tying seven in the game. Alvarez passed Correa for the club rookie record for home runs, while increasing his RBI total to 72, which tied for second-highest total through the first 71 games of a career in major league history. Former Astro Mike Fiers, starting for Oakland, allowed career-highs of both nine runs and five home runs on nine hits in one-plus innings. Combined with the 21-run output the day before versus Seattle, the Astros established a club record with 36 runs scored over two games, including 32 runs over a nine-inning span. The 32 runs were second in major league history within a nine-inning span only to the 2007 Texas Rangers, which included a record 30–3 win over Baltimore, per the Elias Sports Bureau.
The following day, on September 10, the Athletics routed Houston, 21–7, tying their franchise with 25 hits, last achieved in 1969. Astros starter Wade Miley had got just one out when pulled in the first after the A's led 6–0, following his last start in Seattle where he had allowed five runs without recording any outs. Still, it was his first loss since June 17. The Astros became the first MLB team since the Cleveland Spiders in 1893 to play three consecutive contests decided by 14 or more runs each. George Springer hit a leadoff home run for Houston, and connected again in the third inning, with both drives of Tanner Roark. The second drive was Houston's 250th of the season, to set a club record, surpassing the 2000 squad. Martín Maldonado also connected during the fifth and ninth innings, raising the team total to 252 by the end of the contest.
On September 18 versus Texas, Cole struck out his 300th batter of the season, Shin-Soo Choo, in a 3–2 win. Cole became the 18th major leaguer and third Astros pitcher to reach the milestone, following J. R. Richard and Mike Scott. Cole also became the second-fastest pitcher to register 300 strikeouts in terms of innings pitched; his innings trailed only Randy Johnson's IP in 2001. The win, the Astros' 100th of the season, clinched at least a share of a Wild Card berth, and made them the sixth team in history to win at least 100 games in three consecutive seasons. The Astros clinched the AL West division title at Minute Maid Park on September 22, their 102nd win of the year, third straight division title, and first three-peat since the 1997–1999 seasons. Justin Verlander and George Springer led a 13–5 defeat of the Los Angeles Angels. Verlander won his 20th game of the season, Springer connected for three home runs, Yordan Alvarez collected four hits, and Aledmys Díaz added a three-run home run.
Will Harris tossed an immaculate inning in the eighth inning versus the Angels on September 27.
On September 28, Verlander struck out the Angels' Kole Calhoun to register both his 3000th career strikeout and 300th on the season. Verlander and Cole became the second teammate duo since Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling with the 2002 Arizona Diamondbacks to reach 300 strikeouts.
Gerrit Cole concluded the season on a personal 16-game winning streak.
The Astros also clinched home field advantage throughout the MLB postseason on September 28.

Performance overview

Having roared to club-record 107 victories while winning the third of three division titles for the second time in franchise history, manager A. J. Hinch likewise joined Larry Dierker as the second Houston manager to guide the Astros to such a feat. Hinch also became the first Astros manager to guide his club to three consecutive 100-win seasons, while having broken the club record for wins for a second consecutive year.
The Astros' slugging percentage of.495 set the major league record. They led the major leagues in bases on balls, batting average and on-base percentage, while surrendering the second-fewest runs, and ranked second in fielding percentage. Houston pitching fanned the most hitters, while their lineup were retired via the fewest strikeouts. They also hit 288 home runs to set a club record, surpassing the 249 bombs by the 2000 squad.
Verlander and Cole, anchoring the starting rotation, became just the second pair of teammates to attain 300 or more strikeouts during the same season, while becoming the first to turn each of 300 strikeouts, sub-3.00 earned run average and 20 or more wins. The 300-strikeout and 20-win thresholds were first achieved by Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling as members of the 2002 Arizona Diamondbacks. Further, Verlander and Cole virtually replicated each other's production, combining to lead the AL in the pitching Triple Crown categories, and led or placed in the top five in virtually every other measure. Verlander—who led MLB in wins, and finished second to Cole in MLB in strikeouts and in the AL in ERA leaders|ERA] —clinched his second American League Cy Young Award. Cole's second-place finish signaled one of the closest Cy Young votes in history.
Verlander and Cole joined Mike Hampton and José Lima as the second 20-game winner duo for the Astros.
Verlander became the fifth Astros pitcher to lead the league in wins, following Joe Niekro in 1979, Mike Scott in 1989, Mike Hampton in 1999, and Roy Oswalt in 2004.
In addition to setting the franchise record for the strikeouts, Cole led the AL, the seventh time an Astros hurler headlined the league, and fifth pitcher overall. Preceding him in this achievement included J. R. Richard in 1978 and in 1979, Mike Scott in 1986, Nolan Ryan in 1987 and in 1988, and Verlander in 2018. Cole became the fifth Astro to lead all of baseball, following Richard, Scott, Ryan and Randy Johnson.
Moreover, Cole finished as the AL ERA leader at 2.50, the eighth time by a Houston pitcher, and seventh individual Houston pitcher overall. Preceding Cole were J. R. Richard in 1979, Nolan Ryan in 1981 and 1987, Mike Scott in 1986, Danny Darwin in 1990, Roger Clemens in 2005, and Roy Oswalt in 2006.
As the AL leader in strikeouts and ERA, Cole assembled the fourth season in which an Astros pitcher claimed two-thirds of the pitching Triple Crown. Along with Verlander as the AL wins leader, it was the second time in franchise history that Astros pitching claimed each of the three individual Triple Crown categories, following the 1979 team: J. Richard with 313 strikeouts and 2.71 ERA, and Joe Niekro with 21 wins.
In winning the Cy Young Award, Verlander became the fourth Astros pitcher so recognized, and second since realigning to the American League. Previous Astros winners included Mike Scott, Roger Clemens, and Dallas Keuchel. Verlander's second Cy Young, he had previously won as a member of the Detroit Tigers in 2011, also the year in which he won the pitching Triple Crown.
Cole was recognized with The Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year Award, the fourth Astro to receive this honor, following Joe Niekro in 1979, Mike Scott in 1986, and Mike Hampton in 1999.
Alvarez'.655 slugging percentage and 1.067 on-base plus slugging percentage were both the highest in history for a qualified rookie, exceeding Shoeless Joe Jackson's 1.058 OPS during his 1911 rookie campaign.
Bregman was runner-up for the AL Most Valuable Player Award.
  • In the clubhouse after their ALCS victory, Houston assistant general manager Brandon Taubman taunted female reporters. The team initially denied a Sports Illustrated report about his behavior, and accused the publication of making up the story. The Astros later fired Taubman, retracted their statement and issued an apology.

Season standings

American League West

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases; BB = Walks; AVG = Batting average; SLG = Slugging average
BatterGABRH2B3BHRRBISBBBAVGSLG
148575881794022290351.311.503
1445648516840231104537.298.541
156554122164372411125119.296.592
141501571381931456536.275.409
124500891492733174641.298.550
122479961402033996667.292.591
11436657872211758151.238.443
8731358982602778052.313.655
120292466816310341017.233.411
7528042781612159135.279.568
712181649140321032.225.330
692103657121940226.271.467
66163233762717416.227.417
5610827294207819.269.343
3190415101307.167.211
2784201740610013.202.464
25781317322919.218.385
226715186041154.269.537
2664810502501.156.328
1753912211547.226.358
193587300214.200.286
Pitcher totals1911000001.053.053
Team totals162561392015383232828889167645.274.495

Source:

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts
PitcherWLERAGGSSVIPHRERBBSO
Justin Verlander2162.5834340223137666442300
Gerrit Cole2052.5033330142665948326
Wade Miley1463.9833330164837461140
Brad Peacock764.12231507843423196
Collin McHugh454.7035806241393082
Framber Valdez475.8626807451464468
Chris Devenski234.836110696939372172
Roberto Osuna432.6366038654520191273
Zack Greinke813.0210100582521952
Josh James514.70491146343235100
Héctor Rondón323.7162105625252048
Will Harris411.506804604214101462
Ryan Pressly232.3255033715141272
José Urquidy213.9597041381818740
Joe Smith101.802800251965522
Cy Sneed015.48800261313523
Corbin Martin115.595502314121219
Aaron Sanchez204.82440141010916
Rogelio Armenteros114.00521181798518
Joe Biagini017.361300211312910
Cionel Pérez1110.00500911101027
Bryan Abreu001.04700411313
Reymin Guduan1011.8170087746
Brady Rodgers0016.20300579934
Tyler White0021.6040078852
Max Stassi000.0010000000
Team totals107553.661621624712056405954481671

Source:

Postseason

Summary

Despite the World Series upset, this Astros team is still considered to have put together one of the best regular seasons, and most talented rosters, in the history of baseball, owing largely to its historic 107-win campaign, earning the biggest share of season-end accolades, and record-breaking individual achievements. With seven 2019 All-Stars on its postseason squad, the Astros fielded among the most in baseball history.

Postseason rosters