2021 Houston Astros season explained

Houston Astros
Season:2021
Misc:American League Champions
American League West Champions
League:American League
Division:West
Ballpark:Minute Maid Park
City:Houston, Texas
Divisional Place:1st
Owners:Jim Crane
General Managers:James Click
Managers:Dusty Baker
Television:AT&T SportsNet Southwest
(Todd Kalas, Geoff Blum)
Radio:KTRH 740 Weekday Night Games Sportstalk 790
Houston Astros Radio Network
(Robert Ford, Steve Sparks, Geoff Blum)
KLAT (Spanish)
(Francisco Romero, Alex Treviño)
Espntn:hou
Brtn:hou

The 2021 Houston Astros season was the 60th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Houston, Texas, their 57th as the Astros, ninth in both the American League and American League West, and 22nd at Minute Maid Park.

Four Astros players gained selection to the 2021 All-Star Game, tied for the second most from any team in baseball. The four were second baseman José Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, outfielder Michael Brantley, and relief pitcher Ryan Pressly, although none of them participated in the game. First baseman Yuli Gurriel won the AL batting title, his first, with a .319 batting average, becoming the second Cuban-born player and second Astro to do so. Correa led AL position players with 7.2 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).

The Astros concluded the regular season with a 95–67 record, while clinching an AL West title for the fourth time in the last five seasons, as well as their sixth playoff berth in seven years. By winning the AL West, Dusty Baker became the first manager in major league history to guide five different clubs to a division title, giving him eight division titles overall.

In the playoffs, the Astros defeated the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS in four games to advance to their fifth straight ALCS. They faced the Boston Red Sox in a rematch of the 2018 ALCS. The Astros won the ALCS in six games to advance to the World Series for the third time in five years. It was the Astros' fourth pennant in franchise history and their third as an AL team. They lost in the World Series to the Atlanta Braves in six games.

Following the season, Yuli Gurriel and Carlos Correa won their first Gold Glove Awards, and the Astros were named the American League Gold Glove Team. Correa also won his first Platinum Glove Award and his first Fielding Bible Award. An American League (and franchise) record five Astros were named Gold Glove finalists, along with another five as finalists for the Silver Slugger Award. Dusty Baker and Luis García were named finalists for the AL Manager of the Year and AL Rookie of the Year awards, respectively. Baker finished third in voting, and García finished second. This marked the third consecutive season that an Astros player was named a finalist for the AL Rookie of the Year Award, following Yordan Álvarez, who won it unanimously in 2019, and Cristian Javier, who finished in third in 2020.

Additionally, Álvarez and Kyle Tucker were both selected for 2021's All-MLB Second Team.

Offseason

Summary

The Astros entered the 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) season as having been defeated by the Tampa Bay Rays in seven games in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) and runner-up for the 2020 AL pennant. The Astros played to a 3–0 deficit to begin the ALCS, won the next three, and were defeated 4–2 in Game 7. The Rays thus avoided joining the 2004 New York Yankees as the only MLB clubs to lose a League Championship Series after mounting a 3–0 lead.[1]

Ace starting pitcher Justin Verlander missed the entire 2021 season recuperating from ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery, also known as Tommy John surgery, which was performed on October 1, 2020. He was in the final year of his contract.[2] On February 27, 2021, the Astros placed the right-hander on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from the surgery.[3]

Offseason transactions

Free agent signings

Free agent departures

Pitchers that elected for free agency included Joe Biagini, Chase De Jong, Roberto Osuna, Brad Peacock, Chris Devenski, and Dustin Garneau

Trades and waiver claims

Players that were traded or claimed in the offseason by a different team included Brandon Bailey, Humberto Castellanos, Cionel Pérez, Carlos Sanabria, Cy Sneed, and Jack Mayfield.

Contract extensions

Regular season

Summary

April

Opening Day starting lineup[11]
[12] Player[13]
27 10
23 3
2 6
30 1
1 5
44 1
10 4
3 1
15 2
21 1

On April 1, starting pitcher Zack Greinke earned his first career Opening Day win, and 209th win overall, as the Astros defeated the Oakland Athletics, 8–1, at the Oakland Coliseum. He pitched six scoreless innings, the 65th time his career he has produced at least six scoreless innings. Yordan Álvarez, returning from dual knee surgery that cost him nearly all of the 2020 season, drove in three runners, and Michael Brantley and Alex Bregman hit back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning.[14] Outfielder Chas McCormick made his MLB debut[15] as a defensive replacement for Brantley.[11] It was the Astros' ninth consecutive Opening Day win, a club record, and equalled the modern era (since 1900) major league record for the longest streak, with the Seattle Mariners (2007–15), Cincinnati Reds (1983–91), New York Mets (1975–83) and St. Louis Browns (1937–45).[14]

Ryan Pressly first became Houston's full-time closer in 2021.[16]

Brantley batted .345 in April and .410 in June, remaining at or near the top of the AL batting leaders for much of the season.[17]

Manager Dusty Baker earned his 1,900th career win in the major leagues on April 22 by an 8–2 score versus the Los Angeles Angels.[18] In that game, Cristian Javier became the first Astros pitcher to record the first eight outs of a game by strikeout since Jim Deshaies on September 23, 1986, versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.[19] Over five innings, Javier set a new personal high with nine strikeouts and one walk and no earned runs.[18]

In their first rematch since the 2020 American League Championship Series (ALCS), the Astros defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 9–2, on April 30. Lance McCullers Jr. hurled seven shutout innings, striking out nine. Brantley and Carlos Correa both had four hits and Bregman hit a two-run home run. Four RBI came via Aledmys Díaz' two hits. Brantley, Bregman, Álvarez and Correa produced consecutive hits in the third inning, leading to three of the runs. With this win, Baker reached 1,906 to pass Casey Stengel for 12th all-time.[20]

May

Outfielder Kyle Tucker recorded a breakout season in 2021: from May 1 through the end of the season, he batted .320 and led the AL in on-base percentage, slugging and OPS.[21]

During the May 7 game versus the Toronto Blue Jays, designated hitter Yordan Álvarez drove in the 100th run of his career, doing so in 114 game as part of a 10–4 victory. He was the seventh-fastest player to reach 100 RBI in league history and the fastest to do so since the expansion era started in 1961. The next game, he homered and drove in three more in an 8–4 loss to the Blue Jays for 103 RBI in 115 games.[22]

In the May 25 contest versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, Greinke became the 135th pitcher in major league history to reach 3,000 career innings. José Altuve was hitless in four at bats to end a 17-game hitting streak, the longest in the major leagues to that point in the season.[23]

June

On June 4, Zack Greinke threw his first complete game since April 19, 2017, and first as a member of the Astros. He allowed six hits with one run and one walk and three strikeouts in a 13–1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York. Martín Maldonado hit a grand slam, and Carlos Correa homered twice to lead the Astros' 16-hit attack.[24]

In the June 6 contest versus the Blue Jays, infielder Aledmys Díaz suffered a fracture in his left hand on a hit by pitch delivered from Ross Stripling. Díaz was expected to miss six to eight weeks.[25]

On June 15, José Altuve hit a walk-off grand slam against the Texas Rangers. The next day, he continued with a lead-off home run against Texas; Altuve is the first player in major league history to have a walk-off grand slam and then a lead-off home run in the following game. The Astros won that game, 8–4, to sweep their in-state rivals and realize their 12th win in their past 16th games.[26] Third baseman Alex Bregman injured his left quadriceps in the first inning of the June 16 game as he attempted to avoid hitting into a double play. Catcher Garrett Stubbs was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to take his place on the 25-man roster.[27]

Altuve hit his 150th career home run on June 23, served up by Thomas Eshelman of the Baltimore Orioles.[28]

All-Star Game selections

The following Astros players were selected as reserves to play at the 91st All-Star Game, hosted by the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 13, 2021:[29]

With the four total selections, the Astros tied for second-most selections for 2021.[29]

July

A lingering knee injury dampened Brantley's second-half performance. As of late July, he maintained a batting average of .336.[17]

In an attempt to revamp their bullpen by adding higher-velocity pitchers, the Astros acquired Yimi García from the Miami Marlins on July 28. Up until that trade, García saved 15 games with a 3.47 ERA over 39 total relief appearances in 2021. He struck out 35 in innings. The Astros sent outfielder Bryan De La Cruz and pitcher Austin Pruitt in return.[30]

On July 30, the Astros traded Myles Straw to the Cleveland Indians for reliever Phil Maton and minor league catcher Yainer Díaz. Trading Straw allowed for the Astros to give rookie outfielders Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers more opportunities to play.[31] On July 31, the club selected Meyers' contract from Sugar Land and promoted him to the major league roster.[32]

August

Jake Meyers made his Major League debut on August 1 as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of a 5–3 loss to the San Francisco Giants.[33]

Jake Meyers hit his first career home run on August 14 versus pitcher Jaime Barría of the Los Angeles Angels, and added a grand slam later in the same game as the Astros won, 8–2.[34]

Third baseman Alex Bregman returned from left quadriceps strain on August 25 after missing over two months. He scoring the winning run versus the Kansas City Royals on the day of his return, capping a 6–5, 10-inning score.[35]

September and October

José Siri made his major league debut on September 3 as a pinch runner in the ninth inning versus the San Diego Padres. Jake Meyers promptly hit a single that scored Siri from second base to give Siri his first run as a major leaguer.

Siri made his first start in the majors on September 13, playing left field and facing the Texas Rangers. He went 4-for-5 with two home runs and five runs batted in to power a 15–1 rout at Globe Life Field. He is the first player since the RBI statistic became official in 1920 to have that many RBI along with multiple home runs in their first major league start.[36] Yordan Álvarez added two home runs,[37] including his 30th of the season; at the age of 24, he is the second Astro to hit 30 home runs in a season at that age after Alex Bregman, who hit 31 in 2018.[38]

In the September 17 contest versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, José Altuve homered off Madison Bumgarner at Minute Maid Park to collect his 849th career hit in the stadium. The hit tied him with Lance Berkman for most by an Astro in the venue. He then passed Berkman the next night with a double.[39] [40]

On September 21, Carlos Correa scored his 100th run on the season to become the first Astros shortstop to score 100 runs in a season.[41]

During the final road trip of the season, twenty-seven members of the team paid homage to veteran pitcher Zack Greinke, known for his leisurely dress style. They wore fishing shirts, short shorts, and bucket hats. Lance McCullers Jr. also brought in a bag of groceries from Whole Foods – as is Greinke's habit to fill his locker – as replenishment for their upcoming flight. Greinke, who is from Florida, wore a bright orange Tampa Bay Buccaneers hat, an oversized fishing shirt, and shorts. Martín Maldonado donned his own bright orange hat. With Greinke posing with his new cadre of imitators, the team posted photos of their amusement on Instagram. The team had chosen to honor the pitcher, in the final year of his contract, after a 7–6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in which had allowed five runs over four innings, raising his ERA on the season to 4.11.[42]

On September 23, Álvarez drove in two runs on a home run in the first inning against Los Angeles Angels to score his 100th RBI of the season. He was the second-youngest Astro to reach 100 RBI in one season, trailing César Cedeño, who did so at the age of 23 in 1974.[43] It was a 9–5 win. Ryan Pressly completed a scoreless ninth in his 60th appearance of the season in this game, concluding the final condition for his contract for 2022 to fully vest. He would earn a guaranteed $10 million. Since being acquired by Houston at the 2018 trade deadline, Pressly had produced a 2.19 ERA, 0.924 WHIP, and saved 42 games in innings. He had converted 25 of 27 save chances on the season.[16]

On September 28, the Astros won 4–3 against the Tampa Bay Rays on consecutive walks with the bases loaded, which was the first time they had done so in team history and only the eighth time in Major League Baseball history since 1931.[44] The Astros clinched the AL West on September 30 with a win over Tampa Bay at Minute Maid Park for their fourth division title in five seasons. It was Houston's tenth division title and 15th postseason entrance. For the first time in franchise history, the Astros gained a postseason berth for the fifth consecutive season. With a combined record of 432–272 (.614) since 2017, Houston had attained the most wins in the major leagues in that span. Manager Dusty Baker secured his eighth division title while becoming the first manager to guide five different clubs to a division title. It was Baker's 11th career postseason appearance.[45]

In the final game of the 2021 regular season, Yuli Gurriel hit a walk-off single to score Jason Castro and defeat the Oakland Athletics.[46] With that hit, his batting average stood at .319 to lead teammate Michael Brantley and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays (both hit .311) for the AL batting championship. At age 37, Gurriel was the sixth-oldest player to win a batting title, the oldest to win their first batting title since Barry Bonds in 2002, and the first Cuban-born player since Tony Oliva in 1971.[47] Brantley, continuing to produce through lingering knee pain, saw 39 at bats in September.[17] It was the sixth time in his career he had finished in the top 10 in the AL in batting.[48]

Over the final month of the season, right fielder Kyle Tucker batted .346 with eight home runs, 20 runs scored, 19 RBI, .438 on-base percentage, and .692 slugging percentage for a 1.130 OPS. He was awarded AL Player of the Month for September, his first career monthly award.[49]

Astros team leaders

Batting
.319
RBIs 104
Home runs 33
117
Stolen bases 17
Pitching
Wins 13
3.16
1.17
Strikeouts 185
Saves 26
Minimum 3.1 plate appearances per team games played
AVG qualified batters: Altuve, Álvarez, Brantley, Correa, Gurriel, Tucker
Minimum 1 inning pitched per team games played
ERA and WHIP qualified pitchers: Greinke, McCullers Jr.

Game log

Legend
 Astros win
 Astros loss
 Postponement
BoldAstros team member

|- style="background:#bfb;"| 1 || April 1 || @ Athletics || 8–1 || Greinke (1–0) || Bassitt (0–1) || — || 10,436 || 1–0 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 2 || April 2 || @ Athletics || 9–5 || Abreu (1–0) || Luzardo (0–1) || — || 5,446 || 2–0 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 3 || April 3 || @ Athletics || 9–1 || McCullers Jr. (1–0) || Irvin (0–1) || Raley (1) || 5,803 || 3–0 || W3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 4 || April 4 || @ Athletics || 9–2 || Bielak (1–0) || Manaea (0–1) || — || 4,504 || 4–0 || W4|- style="background:#fbb;"| 5 || April 5 || @ Angels || 6–7 || Watson (1–0) || Smith (0–1) || Mayers (1) || 13,447 || 4–1 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 6 || April 6 || @ Angels || 4–2 || Pressly (1–0) || Iglesias (1–1) || — || 11,122 || 5–1 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 7 || April 8 || Athletics || 6–2 || Javier (1–0) || Irvin (0–2) || — || 21,765 || 6–1 || W2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 8 || April 9 || Athletics || 2–6 || Petit (2–0) || Abreu (1–1) || — || 21,768 || 6–2 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 9 || April 10 || Athletics || 3–7 || Montas (1–1) || Urquidy (0–1) || — || 21,760 || 6–3 || L2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 10 || April 12 || Tigers || 2–6 || Mize (1–0) || Greinke (1–1) || — || 15,779 || 6–4 || L3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 11 || April 13 || Tigers || 2–8 || Boyd (2–1) || Odorizzi (0–1) || — || 17,080 || 6–5 || L4|- style="background:#fbb;"| 12 || April 14 || Tigers || 4–6 || Fulmer (1–0) || McCullers Jr. (1–1) || Garcia (2) || 14,720 || 6–6 || L5|- style="background:#fbb;"| 13 || April 16 || @ Mariners || 5–6 || Misiewicz (2–0) || Stanek (0–1) || — || 8,967 || 6–7 || L6|- style="background:#bfb;"| 14 || April 17 || @ Mariners || 1–0 || Greinke (2–1) || Flexen (1–1) || Pressly (1) || 8,960 || 7–7 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 15 || April 18 || @ Mariners || 2–7 || Newsome (1–0) || Odorizzi (0–2) || — || 8,959 || 7–8 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 16 || April 20 || @ Rockies || 2–6 || Gray (2–1) || L. García (0–1) || — || 10,144 || 7–9 || L2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 17 || April 21 || @ Rockies || 3–6 || Gomber (1–2) || Urquidy (0–2) || — || 7,120 || 7–10 || L3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 18 || April 22 || Angels || 8–2 || Javier (2–0) || Cobb (1–1) || — || 13,985 || 8–10 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 19 || April 23 || Angels || 5–4 || Pressly (2–0) || Iglesias (1–2) || — || 21,728 || 9–10 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 20 || April 24 || Angels || 16–2 || Emanuel (1–0) || Canning (1–2) || — || 21,820 || 10–10 || W3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 21 || April 25 || Angels || 2–4 || Rodriguez (1–0) || L. García (0–2) || Iglesias (3) || 21,781 || 10–11 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 22 || April 26 || Mariners || 5–2 || Urquidy (1–2) || Sheffield (1–2) || Pressly (2) || 11,862 || 11–11 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 23 || April 27 || Mariners || 2–0 || Javier (3–0) || Gonzales (1–3) || Pressly (3) || 14,413 || 12–11 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 24 || April 28 || Mariners || 7–5 || Smith (1–1) || Montero (2–1) || Stanek (1) || 12,707 || 13–11 || W3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 25 || April 29 || Mariners || 0–1 || Kikuchi (1–1) || L. García (0–3) || Graveman (3) || 14,149 || 13–12 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 26 || April 30 || @ Rays || 9–2 || McCullers Jr. (2–1) || Yarbrough (1–3) || — || 6,169 || 14–12 || W1|-|- style="background:#bfb;"| 27 || May 1 || @ Rays || 3–1 || Urquidy (2–2) || Fleming (1–3) || Pressly (4) || 7,335 || 15–12 || W2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 28 || May 2 || @ Rays || 4–5 || Springs (2–0) || Raley (0–1) || Castillo (7) || 6,933 || 15–13 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 29 || May 4 || @ Yankees || 3–7 || Luetge (2–0) || Bielak (1–1) || — || 10,850 || 15–14 || L2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 30 || May 5 || @ Yankees || 3–6 || Loáisiga (3–1) || Raley (0–2) || Chapman (7) || 9,895 || 15–15 || L3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 31 || May 6 || @ Yankees || 7–4 || Scrubb (1–0) || Green (0–3) || Pressly (5) || 10,042 || 16–15 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 32 || May 7 || Blue Jays || 10–4 || Urquidy (3–2) || Stripling (0–2) || — || 25,410 || 17–15 || W2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 33 || May 8 || Blue Jays || 4–8 || Matz (5–2) || Javier (3–1) || — || 25,794 || 17–16 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 34 || May 9 || Blue Jays || 7–4 || Abreu (2–1) || Pearson (0–1) || Pressly (6) || 24,355 || 18–16 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 35 || May 10 || Angels || 4–5 || Suárez (1–0) || Bielak (1–2) || Iglesias (6) || 13,695 || 18–17 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 36 || May 11 || Angels || 5–1 || McCullers Jr. (3–1) || Slegers (2–1) || — || 17,350 || 19–17 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 37 || May 12 || Angels || 9–1 || Bielak (2–2) || Heaney (1–3) || — || 13,668 || 20–17 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 38 || May 13 || Rangers || 4–3 || Raley (1–2) || Martin (0–1) || — || 16,340 || 21–17 || W3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 39 || May 14 || Rangers || 10–4 || Greinke (3–1) || Benjamin (0–2) || — || 24,495 || 22–17 || W4|- style="background:#bfb;"| 40 || May 15 || Rangers || 6–5 || L. García (1–3) || Dunning (2–3) || Pressly (7) || 25,858 || 23–17 || W5|- style="background:#bfb;"| 41 || May 16 || Rangers || 6–2 || Raley (2–2) || Rodríguez (1–2) || — || 26,069 || 24–17 || W6|- style="background:#fbb;"| 42 || May 18 || @ Athletics || 5–6 || Petit (5–0) || Abreu (2–2) || — || 4,838 || 24–18 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 43 || May 19 || @ Athletics || 8–1 || Greinke (4–1) || Montas (5–3) || — || 3,925 || 25–18 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 44 || May 20 || @ Athletics || 8–4 || L. García (2–3) || Irvin (3–5) || — || 4,562 || 26–18 || W2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 45 || May 21 || @ Rangers || 5–7 || Hearn (2–1) || Abreu (2–3) || — || 30,445 || 26–19 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 46 || May 22 || @ Rangers || 4–8 || Allard (1–0) || Scrubb (1–1) || — || 38,055 || 26–20 || L2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 47 || May 23 || @ Rangers || 2–3 || King (5–3) || Pressly (2–1) || — || 36,444 || 26–21 || L3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 48 || May 25 || Dodgers || 2–9 || Kershaw (7–3) || Greinke (4–2) || — || 34,443 || 26–22 || L4|- style="background:#bfb;"| 49 || May 26 || Dodgers || 5–2 || L. García (3–3) || Bauer (5–3) || Abreu (1) || 30,939 || 27–22 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 50 || May 28 || Padres || 3–10 || Melancon (1–0) || Raley (2–3) || — || 32,045 || 27–23 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 51 || May 29 || Padres || 8–11 || Adams (2–0) || Garza (0–1) || Díaz (1) || 31,323 || 27–24 || L2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 52 || May 30 || Padres || 7–4 || Greinke (5–2) || Snell (1–2) || — || 29,019 || 28–24 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 53 || May 31 || Red Sox || 11–2 || Urquidy (4–2) || Rodríguez (5–4) || — || 28,543 || 29–24 || W2|-|- style="background:#bfb;"| 54 || June 1 || Red Sox || 5–1 || L. García (4–3) || Richards (4–4) || — || 23,449 || 30–24 || W3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 55 || June 2 || Red Sox || 2–1 || Valdez (1–0) || Pivetta (6–1) || Pressly (8) || 22,664 || 31–24 || W4|- style="background:#fbb;"| 56 || June 3 || Red Sox || 1–5 || Pérez (4–2) || Odorizzi (0–3) || — || 24,853 || 31–25 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 57 || June 4 || @ Blue Jays || 13–1 || Greinke (6–2) || Ryu (5–3) || — || 5,510 || 32–25 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 58 || June 5 || @ Blue Jays || 2–6 || Stripling (2–3) || Urquidy (4–3) || — || 5,327 || 32–26 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 59 || June 6 || @ Blue Jays || 6–3 || L. García (5–3) || Matz (6–3) || Pressly (9) || 5,404 || 33–26 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 60 || June 8 || @ Red Sox || 7–1 || Valdez (2–0) || Pérez (4–3) || — || 23,604 || 34–26 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 61 || June 9 || @ Red Sox || 8–3 || Odorizzi (1–3) || Eovaldi (7–3) || Javier (1) || 21,007 || 35–26 || W3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 62 || June 10 || @ Red Sox || 8–12 || Hernández (1–2) || Taylor (0–1) || — || 23,378 || 35–27 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 63 || June 11 || @ Twins || 6–4 || Stanek (1–1) || Shoemaker (2–8) || Pressly (10) || 17,223 || 36–27 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 64 || June 12 || @ Twins || 2–5 || Berríos (7–2) || L. García (5–4) || Rogers (6) || 18,767 || 36–28 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 65 || June 13 || @ Twins || 14–3 || Valdez (3–0) || Pineda (3–4) || — || 19,147 || 37–28 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 66 || June 15 || Rangers || 6–3 || Pressly (3–1) || Evans (0–2) || — || 26,379 || 38–28 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 67 || June 16 || Rangers || 8–4 || Greinke (7–2) || Lyles (2–5) || — || 22,735 || 39–28 || W3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 68 || June 17 || White Sox || 10–2 || Urquidy (5–3) || Cease (5–3) || — || 21,795 || 40–28 || W4|- style="background:#bfb;"| 69 || June 18 || White Sox || 2–1 || Pressly (4–1) || Crochet (2–3) || — || 30,898 || 41–28 || W5|- style="background:#bfb;"| 70 || June 19 || White Sox || 7–3 || Valdez (4–0) || Lynn (7–3) || — || 35,210 || 42–28 || W6|- style="background:#bfb;"| 71 || June 20 || White Sox || 8–2 || McCullers Jr. (4–1) || Keuchel (6–2) || — || 39,821 || 43–28 || W7|- style="background:#bfb;"| 72 || June 21 || @ Orioles || 10–2 || Odorizzi (2–3) || Akin (0–3) || — || 7,414 || 44–28 || W8|- style="background:#bfb;"| 73 || June 22 || @ Orioles || 3–1 || Greinke (8–2) || López (2–9) || Pressly (11) || 8,510 || 45–28 || W9|- style="background:#bfb;"| 74 || June 23 || @ Orioles || 13–0 || Urquidy (6–3) || Eshelman (0–1) || — || 10,013 || 46–28 || W10|- style="background:#bfb;"| 75 || June 24 || @ Tigers || 12–3 || L. García (6–4) || Ureña (2–8) || — || 12,656 || 47–28 || W11|- style="background:#bbb;"| — || June 25 || @ Tigers || colspan=7| PPD, RAIN; rescheduled for Jun 26|- style="background:#fbb;"| 76 || June 26 || @ Tigers || 1–3 || Mize (5–4) || Valdez (4–1) || Cisnero (3) || 12,422 || 47–29 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 77 || June 26 || @ Tigers || 3–2 || McCullers Jr. (5–1) || Fulmer (4–4) || Pressly (12) || 13,950 || 48–29 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 78 || June 27 || @ Tigers || 1–2 || Soto (4–1) || Taylor (0–2) || — || 13,532 || 48–30 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 79 || June 28 || Orioles || 7–9 || Fry (2–2) || Bielak (2–3) || Plutko (1) || 24,419 || 48–31 || L2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 80 || June 29 || Orioles || 3–13 || Wells (1–0) || Garza (0–2) || Tate (1) || 30,346 || 48–32 || L3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 81 || June 30 || Orioles || 2–5 || Scott (3–3) || L. García (6–5) || Sulser (3) || 28,124 || 48–33 || L4|-|- style="background:#bfb;"| 82 || July 1 || @ Indians || 7–2 || Valdez (5–1) || Mejía (1–3) || — || 13,772 || 49–33 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 83 || July 2 || @ Indians || 6–3 || McCullers Jr. (6–1) || Hentges (1–3) || Pressly (13) || 24,337 || 50–33 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 84 || July 3 || @ Indians || 3–2 || Odorizzi (3–3) || Morgan (1–3) || Pressly (14) || 24,961 || 51–33 || W3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 85 || July 4 || @ Indians || 4–3 || Taylor (1–2) || Clase (3–3) || Raley (2) || 17,412 || 52–33 || W4|- style="background:#bfb;"| 86 || July 6 || Athletics || 9–6 || Abreu (3–3) || Wendelken (1–1) || Pressly (15) || 26,353 || 53–33 || W5|- style="background:#bfb;"| 87 || July 7 || Athletics || 4–3 || Taylor (2–2) || Manaea (6–6) || Pressly (16) || 21,150 || 54–33 || W6|- style="background:#fbb;"| 88 || July 8 || Athletics || 1–2 || Montas (8–7) || McCullers Jr. (6–2) || Diekman (7) || 29,243 || 54–34 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 89 || July 9 || Yankees || 0–4 || Luetge (3–1) || Odorizzi (3–4) || — || 40,857 || 54–35 || L2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 90 || July 10 || Yankees || 0–1 || Cole (9–4) || Greinke (8–3) || — || 41,259 || 54–36 || L3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 91 || July 11 || Yankees || 8–7 || Garza Jr. (1–2) || Green (3–5) || — || 37,928 || 55–36 || W1|- style="background:#bbcaff| – || July 13 || 91st All-Star Game || AL 5–2 NL || Ohtani (1–0) || Burnes (0–1) || Hendriks (1) || 49,184 || 55–36 || N/A|- style="background:#bfb;"| 92 || July 16 || @ White Sox || 7–1 || McCullers Jr. (7–2) || Cease (7–5) || — || 34,516 || 56–36 || W2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 93 || July 17 || @ White Sox || 1–10 || Giolito (8–6) || Odorizzi (3–5) || — || 34,304 || 56–37 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 94 || July 18 || @ White Sox || 0–4 || Rodón (8–3) || Valdez (5–2) || — || 34,148 || 56–38 || L2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 95 || July 19 || Indians || 4–3 || Greinke (9–3) || Mejía (1–5) || Pressly (17) || 21,963 || 57–38 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 96 || July 20 || Indians || 9–3 || L. García (7–5) || McKenzie (1–4) || — || 26,586 || 58–38 || W2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 97 || July 21 || Indians || 4–5 || Shaw (3–3) || Pruitt (0–1) || Karinchak (11) || 21,712 || 58–39 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 98 || July 23 || Rangers || 7–3 || Bielak (3–3) || Allard (2–8) || — || 38,853 || 59–39 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 99 || July 24 || Rangers || 4–1 || Valdez (6–2) || Gibson (6–3) || — || 37,050 || 60–39 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 100 || July 25 || Rangers || 3–1 || Greinke (10–3) || Santana (0–1) || Pressly (18) || 35,627 || 61–39 || W3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 101 || July 26 || @ Mariners || 8–11 || Graveman (4–0) || Stanek (1–2) || Sewald (4) || 15,162 || 61–40 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 102 || July 27 || @ Mariners || 8–6 || McCullers Jr. (8–2) || Flexen (9–5) || — || 18,930 || 62–40 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 103 || July 28 || @ Mariners || 11–4 || Odorizzi (4–5) || Kikuchi (6–6) || — || 18,908 || 63–40 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 104 || July 30 || @ Giants || 9–6 || Valdez (7–2) || Gausman (9–5) || — || 28,020 || 64–40 || W3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 105 || July 31 || @ Giants || 6–8 || Jackson (2–0) || Taylor (2–3) || McGee (22) || 27,324 || 64–41 || L1|-|- style="background:#fbb;"| 106 || August 1 || @ Giants || 3–5 || Webb (5–3) || L. García (7–6) || McGee (23) || 29,655 || 64–42 || L2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 107 || August 3 || @ Dodgers || 3–0 || McCullers Jr. (9–2) || Buehler (11–2) || Stanek (2) || 52,692 || 65–42 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 108 || August 4 || @ Dodgers || 5–7 || Scherzer (9–4) || Odorizzi (4–6) || — || 52,724 || 65–43 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 109 || August 5 || Twins || 3–5 || Jax (2–1) || Valdez (7–3) || Colomé (4) || 26,208 || 65–44 || L2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 110 || August 6 || Twins || 4–5 || Minaya (2–0) || Montero (5–4) || — || 29,631 || 65–45 || L3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 111 || August 7 || Twins || 4–0 || L. García (8–6) || Pineda (4–7) || — || 29,647 || 66–45 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 112 || August 8 || Twins || 5–7 || Maeda (5–4) || McCullers Jr. (9–3) || Colomé (5) || 26,825 || 66–46 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 113 || August 10 || Rockies || 5–0 || Odorizzi (5–6) || Gray (7–8) || — || 28,931 || 67–46 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 114 || August 11 || Rockies || 5–1 || Valdez (8–3) || Senzatela (2–9) || — || 22,200 || 68–46 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 115 || August 13 || @ Angels || 4–1 || Greinke (11–3) || Sandoval (3–6) || Pressly (19) || 23,981 || 69–46 || W3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 116 || August 14 || @ Angels || 8–2 || L. García (9–6) || Barría (2–1) || — || 27,121 || 70–46 || W4|- style="background:#fbb;"| 117 || August 15 || @ Angels || 1–3 || Detmers (1–2) || McCullers Jr. (9–4) || Iglesias (26) || 19,281 || 70–47 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;" | 118 || August 16 || @ Royals || 6–7 || Barlow (5–3) || Y. García (3–8) || — || 10,228 || 70–48 || L2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 119 || August 17 || @ Royals || 1–3 || Lynch (3–3) || Valdez (8–4) || Brentz (2) || 9,748 || 70–49 || L3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 120 || August 18 || @ Royals || 2–3 || Tapia (1–0) || Taylor (2–4)|| Barlow (7) || 12,278 || 70–50 || L4|- style="background:#bfb;"| 121 || August 19 || @ Royals || 6–3 || Pressly (5–1) || Davis (0–3) || Javier (2) || 9,884 || 71–50 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 122 || August 20 || Mariners || 12–3 || McCullers Jr. (10–5) || Kikuchi (7–7) || — || 26,899 || 72–50 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 123 || August 21 || Mariners || 15–1 || Odorizzi (6–6) || Gilbert (5–5) || — || 29,908 || 73–50 || W3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 124 || August 22 || Mariners || 3–6 || Sewald (8–3) || Stanek (1–3) || Ramírez (1) || 27,526 || 73–51 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 125 || August 23 || Royals || 1–7 || Lynch (4–3) || Greinke (11–4) || — || 18,742 || 73–52 || L2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 126 || August 24 || Royals || 4–0 || L. García (10–6) || Singer (3–9) || — || 22,964 || 74–52 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 127 || August 25 || Royals || 6–5 || Graveman (5–0) || Payamps (0–3) || — || 21,052 || 75–52 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 128 || August 27 || @ Rangers || 5–4 || Maton (3–0) || Martin (3–4) || Pressly (20) || 29,286 || 76–52 || W3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 129 || August 28 || @ Rangers || 5–2 || Valdez (9–4) || Allard (3–11) || Pressly (21) || 37,810 || 77–52 || W4|- style="background:#fbb;"| 130 || August 29 || @ Rangers || 2–13 || Hearn (4–4) || Greinke (11–5) || — || 31,062 || 77–53 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 131 || August 30 || @ Mariners || 4–3 || Maton (4–0) || Smith (2–3) || Pressly (22) || 11,630 || 78–53 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 132 || August 31 || @ Mariners || 0–4 || Sewald (9–3) || Graveman (5–1) || — || 10,452 || 78–54 || L1|-|- style="background:#fbb;"| 133 || September 1 || @ Mariners || 0–1 || Sheffield (6–8) || Odorizzi (6–7) || Sewald (8) || 10,519 || 78–55 || L2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 134 || September 3 || @ Padres || 6–3 || Taylor (3–4) || Pagán (4–1) || Pressly (23) || 37,033 || 79–55 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;" | 135 || September 4 || @ Padres || 2–10 || Musgrove (10–8) || Valdez (9–5) || — || 35,338 || 79–56 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 136 || September 5 || @ Padres || 3–4 || Melancon (4–2) || Stanek (1–4) || — || 35,007 || 79–57 || L2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 137 || September 6 || Mariners || 11–2 || McCullers Jr. (11–4) || Kikuchi (7–8) || Bielak (1) || 25,802 || 80–57 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 138 || September 7 || Mariners || 5–4 || Stanek (2–4) || Ramírez (1–3) || — || 20,353 || 81–57 || W2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 139 || September 8 || Mariners || 5–8 || Castillo (3–5) || Pressly (5–2) || — || 19,089 || 81–58 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 140 || September 10 || Angels || 10–5 || Valdez (10–5) || Ohtani (9–2) || — || 28,740 || 82–58 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 141 || September 11 || Angels || 2–4 || Suárez (7–7) || L. García (10–7) || Iglesias (31) || 31,547 || 82–59 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 142 || September 12 || Angels || 3–1 || McCullers Jr. (12–4) || Quijada (0–1) || Pressly (24) || 28,763 || 83–59 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 143 || September 13 || @ Rangers || 15–1 || Javier (4–1) || Howard (0–4) || — || 18,903 || 84–59 || W2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 144 || September 14 || @ Rangers || 1–8 || Lyles (9–11) || Greinke (11–6) || — || 19,451 || 84–60 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 145 || September 15 || @ Rangers || 7–2 || Urquidy (7–3) || Arihara (2–4) || — || 20,991 || 85–60 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 146 || September 16 || @ Rangers || 12–1 || García (11–7) || Otto (0–2) || — || 19,121 || 86–60 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 147 || September 17 || Diamondbacks || 4–3 || Stanek (3–4) || Clippard (1–1) || — || 22,595 || 87–60 || W3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 148 || September 18 || Diamondbacks || 4–6 || Wendelken (3–2) || Y. García (3–9) || Clippard (6) || 25,314 || 87–61 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 149 || September 19 || Diamondbacks || 7–6 || Solomon (1–0) || Sittinger (0–1) || Pressly (25) || 23,888 || 88–61 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 150 || September 20 || @ Angels || 10–0 || Valdez (11–5) || Barría (2–4) || — || 16,070 || 89–61 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 151 || September 21 || @ Angels || 10–5 || Urquidy (8–3) || Naughton (0–3) || — || 18,332 || 90–61 || W3|- style="background:#bfb;"| 152 || September 22 || @ Angels || 9–5 || Y. García (4–9) || Selman (0–1) || — || 14,863 || 91–61 || W4|- style="background:#fbb;"| 153 || September 23 || @ Angels || 2–3 || Warren (2–0) || McCullers Jr. (12–5) || Iglesias (33) || 19,829 || 91–62 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 154 || September 24 || @ Athletics || 2–14 || Montas (13–9) || Bielak (3–4) || — || 21,105 || 91–63 || L2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 155 || September 25 || @ Athletics || 1–2 || Chafin (2–3) || Pressly (5–3) || — || 13,037 || 91–64 || L3|- style="background:#fbb;"| 156 || September 26 || @ Athletics || 3–4 || Trivino (7–7) || Stanek (3–5) || — || 12,288 || 91–65 || L4|- style="background:#bfb;"| 157 || September 28 || Rays || 4–3 || Maton (5–0) || Fleming (10–7) || — || 32,297 || 92–65 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 158 || September 29 || Rays || 0–7 || Rasmussen (4–1) || García (11–8) || — || 28,321 || 92–66 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 159 || September 30 || Rays || 3–2 || McCullers Jr. (13–5) || Yarbrough (9–7) || Pressly (26) || 31,608 || 93–66 || W1|-|- style="background:#fbb;"| 160 || October 1 || Athletics || 6–8 || Manaea (11–10) || Valdez (11–6) || Trivino (22) || 26,672 || 93–67 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 161 || October 2 || Athletics || 10–4 || Maton (6–0) || Blackburn (1–4) || — || 29,208 || 94–67 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 162 || October 3 || Athletics || 7–6 || Taylor (4–4) || Trivino (7–8) || — || 29,752 || 95–67 || W2|-

Postseason

Game log

|- style="background:#bfb;"| 1 || October 7 || White Sox || 6–1 || McCullers Jr. (1–0) || Lynn (0–1) || — || 40,497 || 1–0 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 2 || October 8 || White Sox || 9–4 || Stanek (1–0) || Bummer (0–1) || — || 41,315 || 2–0 || W2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 3 || October 10 || @ White Sox || 6–12 || Kopech (1–0) || Y. García (0–1) || — || 40,288 || 2–1 || L1|- style="background:#bbb;"| — || October 11 || @ White Sox || colspan=7| Postponed (rain, makeup October 12)|- style="background:#bfb;"| 4 || October 12 || @ White Sox || 10–1 || Y. García (1–1) || Rodón (0–1) || — || 40,170 || 3–1 || W1|-|- style="background:#bfb;"| 1 || October 15 || Red Sox || 5–4 || Stanek (1–0) || Robles (0–1) || Pressly (1) || 40,534 || 1–0 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 2 || October 16 || Red Sox || 5–9 || Eovaldi (1–0) || L. García (0–1) || — || 41,476 || 1–1 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 3 || October 18 || @ Red Sox || 3–12 || Rodríguez (1–0) || Urquidy (0–1) || — || 37,603 || 1–2 || L2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 4 || October 19 || @ Red Sox || 9–2 || Graveman (1–0) || Eovaldi (1–1) || — || 38,010 || 2–2 || W1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 5 || October 20 || @ Red Sox || 9–1 || Valdez (1–0) || Sale (0–1) || — || 37,599 || 3–2 || W2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 6 || October 22 || Red Sox || 5–0 || L. García (1–1) || Eovaldi (1–2) || — || 42,718 || 4–2 || W3|-|- style="background:#fbb;"| 1 || October 26 || Braves || 2–6 || Minter (1–0) || Valdez (0–1) || — || 42,825 || 0–1 || L1|- style="background:#bfb;"| 2 || October 27 || Braves || 7–2 || Urquidy (1–0) || Fried (0–1) || — || 42,833 || 1–1 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 3 || October 29 || @ Braves || 0–2 || Anderson (1–0) || L. García (0–1) || Smith (1) || 42,898 || 1–2 || L1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 4 || October 30 || @ Braves || 2–3 || Matzek (1–0) || Javier (0–1) || Smith (2) || 43,125 || 1–3 || L2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 5 || October 31 || @ Braves || 9–5 || Urquidy (2–0) || Minter (1–1) || — || 43,122 || 2–3 || W1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 6 || November 2 || Braves || 0–7 || Fried (1–1) || L. García (0–2) || — || 42,868 || 2–4 || L1|-

American League Division Series (ALDS) vs. Chicago White Sox

See main article: 2021 American League Division Series.

The Astros played the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS. The managers of the two clubs—Dusty Baker of the Astros and Tony La Russa of the White Sox—had faced each other over 200 times previously as managers of other major league clubs. This series capped a historic rivalry in two intertwining professional baseball careers of which both spanned more than 50 years.[50]

Game 1 at Minute Maid ParkThe Astros started Lance McCullers Jr., while the White Sox started Lance Lynn. The Astros got the scoring started with a line drive single off the bat of rookie center fielder Jake Meyers. The Astros tacked on two more runs in the third on a Alex Bregman fielders choice and a Yordan Álvarez double that made it 3–0 Astros. Michael Brantley added on to the lead with a two run single to make it 5–0. Álvarez added a solo homer to cap the scoring for Houston as McCullers would pitch innings of scoreless ball. The White Sox would get on the board in the 8th inning on a José Abreu single that made it 6–1 before Astros closer Ryan Pressly shut the door in the 9th inning to seal the Game 1 victory for the Astros.
Game 2 at Minute Maid ParkThe Astros started Framber Valdez, while the White Sox started Lucas Giolito. The White Sox got the scoring started with a fielder's choice RBI from Eloy Jiménez. The Astros took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd with an RBI single from Kyle Tucker and a Chas McCormick sacrifice fly made it 2–1 Astros. The White Sox would storm back in the 5th, on RBI singles from Luis Robert & José Abreu and a sac fly from Yasmani Grandal. The Astros would tie it in the bottom half of the 5th from a 2 run single from AL batting champion Yuli Gurriel. The Astros would blow it open in the 7th off relievers Aaron Bummer and Craig Kimbrel, with Yordan Álvarez driving in José Altuve, Carlos Correa driving in both Alex Bregman and Yordan Álvarez before Tucker hit a 2 run home run to left to cap off the scoring. Astros relievers Ryan Pressly and Kendall Graveman each worked scoreless innings to seal the Game 2 win and give the Astros a 2–0 lead heading to Guaranteed Rate Field for Game 3.
Game 3 at Guaranteed Rate FieldThe Astros started Luis García, while the White Sox started Dylan Cease. The White Sox once again got on the board first with an Eloy Jiménez RBI single. The Astros would strike back in the 2nd on a Kyle Tucker RBI double and a Jake Meyers RBI single. Tucker hit his 2nd homer of the series to make it 5–1 in the 3rd. The White Sox would answer with 5 runs in the bottom of the third. Yasmani Grandal hit a 2 run homer and Leury García hit a go ahead three run home run. The Astros would tie in the top of the 4th on an Alex Bregman RBI single. The White Sox would put up 3 in the bottom of the 4th on RBI singles from José Abreu, Eloy Jiménez along with a fielder's choice RBI off the bat of Grandal to make it 9–6 Chicago. Andrew Vaughn would come off the bench and double in Yoan Moncada, García would double in Vaughn and Anderson would single in Garcia to make it 12–6. That would be the end of scoring and White Sox closer Liam Hendriks would shut the door to send the series to a Game 4.
Game 4 at Guaranteed Rate FieldThe Astros started Game 1 starter Lance McCullers Jr., while the White Sox started Carlos Rodón. The game was postponed on October 11 and was moved to October 12th. The White Sox again got the scoring started with a solo homer from rookie Gavin Sheets. Center fielder Jake Meyers sustained an injury to his left shoulder while attempting to catch Sheets' home run ball on the fly. He exited the game and was replaced by Chas McCormick.[51] The Astros took the lead in the 3rd on an RBI double from Carlos Correa. The Astros scored three more runs in the fourth on an RBI single from Martín Maldonado and an RBI double from Alex Bregman. Another run scored for Houston as Michael Brantley drove in McCormick, and they tacked on another run on an RBI single from Brantley that scored José Altuve. Altuve broke the game open with a three-run homer off White Sox closer Liam Hendriks. Astros closer Ryan Pressly would allow a single to Eloy Jiménez but shut the door afterwards to send Houston to their fifth straight ALCS.[52]

American League Championship Series vs. Boston Red Sox

See main article: 2021 American League Championship Series.

This was Houston's fifth straight ALCS appearance. The Astros faced the Boston Red Sox in a rematch of the 2018 ALCS, which the Astros lost in five games. With home field advantage in the series, the Astros started game 1 at home, where Altuve and Correa played their 65th career postseason game together. It was the most for a second baseman/shortstop duo in MLB history (this was also in addition to Altuve-Bregman-Correa-Gurriel being the most experienced playoff quartet with 61 games).[53] The Astros won the ALCS in game six, advancing to their third World Series appearance in five years.

ALCS Schedule[54]
Date Day Start time (CST) Location Score Television
October 15 Friday 7:09pm Red Sox 4, Astros 5 Fox
October 16 Saturday 3:20pm Red Sox 9, Astros 5 Fox/Fox Sports 1
October 18 Monday 7:08pm Astros 3, Red Sox 12 Fox Sports 1
October 19 Tuesday 7:08pm Astros 9, Red Sox 2
October 20 Wednesday 4:08pm Astros 9, Red Sox 1
October 22 Friday 7:08pm Red Sox 0, Astros 5
Game 1 at Minute Maid ParkThe Astros started Framber Valdez, while the Red Sox started Chris Sale. The Astros got on the board first with a sacrifice fly from Yordan Álvarez. The Red Sox would respond with a game tying home run from Kiké Hernández, a fielders choice RBI from J. D. Martinez and a RBI double from Hunter Renfroe before knocking Valdez out of the game after . Sale would last only as well before being pulled. The Astros would tie it on Altuve's 20th career postseason home run, tying him with Hall of Famer and Yankees former captain Derek Jeter. The Astros would retake the lead on a solo homer from Carlos Correa before adding another run on a sac fly in the 8th. Hernández hit another homer off Astros closer Ryan Pressly before Pressly shut the door to seal the 5–4 Game 1 win for Houston.
Game 2 at Minute Maid ParkThe Astros started Luis García, while the Red Sox started Nathan Eovaldi. The Red Sox got things started with a grand slam from DH J.D. Martinez. The Red Sox would add another slam in the 2nd to make it 8–0 as Luis García left the game with a right knee injury. Kiké Hernández would add another run on a home run off Jake Odorizzi. The Astros would add three runs in the 4th off starter Nathan Eovaldi with an RBI double from Kyle Tucker and an RBI single from Yuli Gurriel. The Astros would tack on two more runs with homers from Gurriel and Jason Castro before the Red Sox sealed the win, 9–5.
Game 3 at Fenway ParkOn the mound, the Astros started right-hander José Urquidy, while the Red Sox started left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez. The Astros' starting infield consisted of Yuli Gurriel, José Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Carlos Correa, who established an MLB postseason record with four teammates starting their 64th postseason game together.[55] The Red Sox scored first with RBIs from Christian Vázquez and Christian Arroyo before Kyle Schwarber hit Boston's third grand slam to break it open at 6–0, knocking Urquidy out of the game. Vázquez would add another run on an RBI single before Arroyo hit a 2-run homer to make it 9–0 after 3 innings. The Astros got on the board on a 3-run homer from Kyle Tucker. The Red Sox would add three more runs on a 2-run homer from J.D. Martinez and a solo homer from Rafael Devers before Hirokazu Sawamura shut the door to seal the 12–3 win for the Red Sox.
Game 4 at Fenway ParkThe Astros started Zack Greinke, while the Red Sox countered with Nick Pivetta. The Astros got on the board first with a solo homer from Alex Bregman in the top of the 1st. The Red Sox responded immediately with a 2-run homer from Xander Bogaerts in the bottom of the 1st. No other scoring occurred until the top of the eighth inning, when José Altuve tied the game with a leadoff homer. The Astros batted a total of 12 times in the ninth inning, with Correa leading the frame off with a double. On the hill for Boston to attempt to hold the contest at a 2–2 tie was Eovaldi, typically their number-one starting pitcher. Eovaldi struck out Kyle Tucker, then intentionally walked Yuli Gurriel, which brought Chas McCormick's spot to bat. Baker opted to pinch hit for McCormick with Aledmys Díaz, whom Eovaldi also struck out. Jason Castro next batted for Maldonado, and with a 1–2 count, umpire Laz Díaz called a slow curveball on that appeared to find the outside corner for a ball. After a foul ball, Castro singled on split-finger fastball to score Correa, putting the Astros back on top, 3–2. Next, Altuve worked a full-count walk to load the bases, leading Cora to remove Eovaldi for Martín Pérez. Michael Brantley greeted Pérez' first pitch–a fastball–with a double to clear the bases and increase the score to 6–2. Yordan Álvarez singled in Brantley to make it 7–2 and Correa and Tucker both followed with RBI singles to make it 9–2. The seven runs scored tied the postseason record for runs scored in a ninth inning. Astros closer Ryan Pressly allowed two singles in the 9th inning but allowed neither baserunner to score, securing the Game 4 win for the Astros and knot up the ALCS at 2 games apiece.[56]
Game 5 at Fenway ParkThe ALCS Game 5 featured a rematch of Game 1 starters: Framber Valdez for the Astros, and Chris Sale for the Red Sox. Houston scored first with an solo home run from Yordan Álvarez over the Green Monster. Valdez did not allow a Boston baserunner until the fifth inning. The Astros scored five runs in the top of the sixth, chasing Sale with one out. Álvarez doubled home two more runs to make it 3–0, then Yuli Gurriel doubled home Álvarez; rookie outfielder José Siri singled home Kyle Tucker and Gurriel to cap a five-run 6th inning. Both Álvarez and Gurriel collected three hits and three RBI;[57] all of Álvarez' hits landed to the opposite field. This marked the first occasion in Álvarez' career in which he had produced at least three opposite-field hits; meanwhile Sale had allowed four total hits in 2021 to left-handed batters in IP.[58] Michael Brantley hit an RBI single in the seventh to up the score to 7–0. Rafael Devers got Boston on the board with a solo home run versus Valdez in the bottom of the 7th. Gurriel drove in two more in the 9th to make it 9–1. Valdez went eight innings and got the win, limiting Boston to three total hits and one walk while striking out five; he is the seventh visiting pitcher to go at least eight innings while allowing a run or fewer at Fenway Park in the postseason and the first since Charles Nagy in 1998.[57] Ryne Stanek shut the door in the 9th seal the Game 5 win and send the series back to Houston with the Astros up 3 games to 2.[59] [60]
Game 6 at Minute Maid ParkThe ALCS Game 6 featured a rematch of Game 2 starters Luis Garcia for the Astros and Nathan Eovaldi for the Red Sox. The Astros got on the board first with an RBI double deep to center field from Yordan Álvarez. Kiké Hernández appeared to be in position to catch Álvarez' batted ball, but the ball bounced off his arm just below the glove and dropped to the ground for the two-base hit. Garcia allowed no hits until the sixth inning, when Hernández tripled with two outs. Baker removed Garcia, who left to a standing ovation from the fans. His no-hit innings equaled Brandon Backe's club record for a postseason contest; Backe also started with no-hit innings in the 2004 NLDS. The Astros got another run in the sixth on a double play that scored Álvarez from 3rd to make it 2–0 Houston. In the seventh, Boston encountered their best chance to score with runners at first and third and one out following Alex Verdugo's single. Kendall Graveman struck out pinch-hitter Travis Shaw; at that instant, Maldonado threw perfectly to Carlos Correa, covering second, to catch Verdugo attempting to steal for an inning-ending double play. Kyle Tucker added insurance runs in the eighth with a three-run home run off reliever Adam Ottavino. Ryan Pressly closed the game in the ninth to defeat the Red Sox, 5–0, capturing the Astros' third pennant in the last five seasons.[61]

The ALCS win brought Baker his first AL pennant. Thus, Baker became the ninth manager in major league history to win a pennant in both the American and National Leagues, having first won in 2002.[62]

Origins of the Astros' pennant-winning roster

Having reached the World Series for the third time in five seasons, just six players remained from the 2017 World Series winner; of the six, two did not play in the 2021 ALCS: Lance McCullers Jr and Marwin González.[63]

World Series vs. Atlanta Braves

See main article: 2021 World Series.

This World Series appearance marked Houston's third World Series appearance in five years and fourth World Series appearance overall.

World Series Schedule[64]
Date Day Start time (CST) Location Score Television
October 26 Tuesday 7:09pm Braves 6, Astros 2 Fox
October 27 Wednesday 7:09pm Minute Maid Park Braves 2, Astros 7 Fox
October 29 Friday 7:09pm Astros 0, Braves 2 Fox
October 30 Saturday 7:09pm Truist Park Astros 2, Braves 3Fox
October 31 Sunday 7:15pm Truist Park Astros 9, Braves 5Fox
November 2 Tuesday 7:09pm Minute Maid Park Braves 7, Astros 0 Fox
Game 1 at Minute Maid ParkGame 1 of the World Series featured a matchup of Charlie Morton, who pitched for the Astros in 2017 and 2018 before leaving in free agency, for the Braves against Framber Valdez for the Astros. The Braves got the scoring started with a leadoff home run from Jorge Soler and Austin Riley doubled in Ozzie Albies. Soler drove in his 2nd run of the game on a fielder's choice RBI. Adam Duvall would add a 2-run home run to make it 5–0 Atlanta. Morton would leave the game after after taking a comebacker to his ankle in the 2nd inning, which fractured his right fibula and ruled Morton out for the rest of the series. The Astros would get a run in the 4th after an error from shortstop Dansby Swanson. The Braves would get another run in the 8th on Freddie Freeman sac fly. The Astros would tack on a run in the 8th as well on a RBI groundout from Carlos Correa. Braves closer Will Smith would walk Aledmys Díaz before shutting the door to seal the Game 1 win for Atlanta, 6–2.
Game 2 at Minute Maid ParkGame 2 featured a matchup of Max Fried for the Braves and José Urquidy for the Astros. The Astros got on the board first with an Alex Bregman sac fly that scored José Altuve. The Braves would respond in the top of the 2nd with a solo homer from catcher Travis d'Arnaud. The Astros would tack on four runs in the bottom of the 2nd with RBI singles from rookie outfielder José Siri, catcher Martín Maldonado and veteran outfielder Michael Brantley. Freddie Freeman would drive in his 2nd RBI of the series with an RBI single that made it 5–2 Houston. The Astros would tack on a run in the 6th on an fielder's choice error. Altuve would add another run on his 22nd career postseason home run, tying him for 2nd place on the all time postseason home run leaderboard with Bernie Williams. Kendall Graveman would shut the door in the 9th to tie the series at 1 game apiece heading to Atlanta for Game 3.
Game 3 at Truist ParkGame 3 featured a matchup of rookie right hander Luis García, while Atlanta went with right hander Ian Anderson. The Braves held the Astros hitless for the first seven innings until Aledmys Díaz hit a single to right field in the eighth inning to end the Braves' no-hit bid. The Astros managed just one more hit as the Braves won, 2–0, to take a 2–1 Series lead.[65]
Game 4 at Truist ParkThe Braves opted for a bullpen game in Game 4, starting the left-hander Dylan Lee. The Astros went with right-hander Zack Greinke. Houston scored the first run of the game in the top of the first inning when Carlos Correa drove in Jose Altuve. Altuve would add to the lead with a solo home run off of Kyle Wright in the fourth, passing Bernie Williams for second all time on the postseason home runs list. The Braves would not get on the board until the sixth, when Austin Riley drove in Eddie Rosario against reliever Phil Maton. In the seventh inning, the Braves' Dansby Swanson stepped up and hit a game-tying solo home run off reliever Cristian Javier. Jorge Soler came off the bench and proceeded to follow up Dansby Swanson's homer with one of his own, this one giving Atlanta the lead. Tyler Matzek pitched a scoreless top of the eighth, aided by a great catch by Eddie Rosario robbing Jose Altuve of extra bases. Will Smith recorded his second save of the series, and the Braves moved win away from a World Series title.
Game 5 at Truist ParkThe Astros started Framber Valdez, while the Braves went with another bullpen game, starting Tucker Davidson. The Braves started off strong with a first inning grand slam by Adam Duvall. The Astros got an RBI double from Alex Bregman and a sac fly by Martin Maldonado to make it 4–2. In the top of the third, an RBI double by Carlos Correa and a sacrifice groundout by Yuli Gurriel made it a tie game at 4-4. Freddie Freeman put the Braves back up with a 460-foot home run into right field. In the fifth, with two on base, Braves reliever A.J. Minter intentionally walked Alex Bregman. Maldonado came up and drew a bases loaded walk to tie the game. He was followed by pinch-hitter Marwin González, who drove in two more with a single. In the top of the 7th, Maldonado tacked on his third RBI of the night with a double that scored Kyle Tucker. In the eighth, the Astros got one more on an RBI double by Carlos Correa, his second of the night. Kendall Graveman pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth to secure the 9–5 victory for Houston and force Game 6.
Game 6 at Minute Maid ParkThe Astros started Luis García, while the Braves sent Max Fried to the mound. The Braves took a 3–0 lead in the top of the third inning on a single and walk followed by a towering two-out home run by Jorge Soler that left Minute Maid Park over the raised train tracks in left field.[66] Garcia exited after Soler's home run, having pitched innings while striking out three batters. In the top of the fifth, a two-run home run by Dansby Swanson followed by a walk then a two-out double by Freddie Freeman extended Atlanta's lead to 6–0. In the top of the seventh, Freeman hit a solo home run with two outs to make it 7–0. Tyler Matzek entered in relief in the bottom of the seventh; Fried allowed no runs on four hits while striking out six batters and walking none in six innings. Atlanta closer Will Smith was brought in to pitch the bottom of the ninth. He allowed a leadoff single to Michael Brantley and retired the next three batters, the last out being a Yuli Gurriel infield grounder fielded by Swanson, who threw to Freeman, giving the Braves the title.[67] With this final inning, Will Smith finished off a postseason in which he closed 11 of 16 Braves games while allowing no runs. Jorge Soler won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.[68]

With the World Series victory, Joc Pederson became a back-to-back World Series winner on two different teams, joining names like Jack Morris, Ryan Theriot, Jake Peavy and Ben Zobrist who previously accomplished that feat.[69] Pederson had become a fan-favorite throughout his three-month stay in Atlanta, particularly for his preference to wear pearls.[70]

Postseason rosters

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Awards notes

For recognition of their defensive prowess, Rawlings Sporting Goods announced that the Houston Astros were the winners of the 2021 American League (AL) Gold Glove Team Award, the second iteration of the team-wide award, and Houston's first. The Astros led the American League with +78 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), second in MLB to only the St. Louis Cardinals with +86, the winners of the National League Gold Glove Team Award. The Astros also led the AL with +45 outs above average (OAA), second in the major leagues to the Cardinals (+50). Shortstop Carlos Correa won his first career of both the Platinum Glove and Gold Glove Awards, marking the first time an Astros player has won a Platinum Glove. Correa led the AL with +21 DRS in 2021.[71]

Five Astros players were announced on October 25, 2021, as finalists for the Silver Slugger Award, including José Altuve, Yordan Álvarez, Correa, Yuli Gurriel, and Kyle Tucker.[72] However, all of the five were claimed by players on other teams, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of Toronto at first base, Marcus Semien of Toronto at second base, Xander Bogaerts of Boston at shortstop, Teoscar Hernández, Aaron Judge and Cedric Mullins in the outfield, and Shohei Ohtani at designated hitter.[73]

Starting pitcher Luis García finished second to Randy Arozarena of Tampa Bay in the American League Rooke of the Year balloting, receiving two first-place votes [74]

Manager Dusty Baker was named as a finalist for AL Manager of the Year Award.[75] He finished third, garnering two first-place votes, five for second place, and eight for third place. Kevin Cash of Tampa Bay was the winner.[76]

Statistics

Note: Yellow background is team leader in specific category.

Batting

Regular season

Final regular season batting statistics
Player <-- Pos Name G Plate App AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS OPS+ HBP GIDP SF P/PA SECA RC RC27 WAR -->
125 426 373 40 64 10 1 12 36 112 47 127 0 0 .172 .272 .300 .571 58 5 9 1 4.20 .255 29.1 2.5 −0.1
143 605 530 83 169 31 0 15 81 245 59 68 1 1 .319 .383 .462 .846 131 4 16 12 3.79 .255 92.7 6.4 3.7
146 678 601 117 167 32 1 31 83 294 66 91 5 3 .278 .350 .489 .839 127 4 9 6 3.67 .324 103.1 6.1 4.4
148 640 555 104 155 34 1 26 92 269 75 116 0 0 .279 .366 .485 .850 131 4 16 6 4.08 .341 96.7 6.2 7.2
91 400 348 54 94 17 0 12 55 147 44 53 1 0 .270 .355 .422 .777 113 4 13 4 3.98 .282 51.6 5.1 2.1
121 508 469 68 146 29 3 8 47 205 33 53 1 0 .311 .362 .437 .799 119 5 11 1 3.68 .198 72.2 5.8 2.5
98 370 325 44 85 13 1 2 34 106 38 71 17 5 .262 .339 .326 .665 85 2 7 2 4.09 .218 39.1 4.1 1.4
140 567 506 83 149 37 3 30 92 282 53 90 14 2 .294 .359 .557 .917 147 1 10 5 3.84 .391 99.9 7.2 5.7
144 598 537 92 149 35 1 33 104 285 50 145 1 0 .277 .346 .531 .877 136 8 16 3 4.01 .348 93.9 6.2 3.2
108 330 284 47 73 12 0 14 50 127 25 104 4 2 .257 .319 .447 .766 107 4 5 7 4.01 .285 40.9 4.9 2.3
84 319 294 28 76 19 0 8 45 119 16 62 0 1 .259 .317 .405 .721 97 9 7 0 3.57 .197 36.1 4.3 1.6
66 179 149 22 35 7 0 8 21 66 25 54 0 0 .235 .356 .443 .799 118 3 4 0 4.31 .376 23.8 5.4 1.0
49 163 146 22 38 8 0 6 28 64 10 50 3 0 .260 .323 .438 .761 107 4 0 1 4.02 .267 22.1 5.4 1.2
35 122 109 17 23 1 0 6 20 42 9 21 3 1 .211 .287 .385 .672 83 3 1 1 3.82 .275 12.7 3.9 0.8
46 117 106 8 16 3 0 1 8 22 8 42 0 0 .151 .216 .208 .423 18 1 2 1 3.87 .132 2.9 0.8 −0.8
35 108 102 11 25 8 1 2 16 41 4 29 0 0 .245 .269 .402 .670 81 0 5 2 3.93 .196 9.5 3.1 0.1
21 49 46 10 14 0 1 4 9 28 1 17 3 1 .304 .347 .609 .956 155 2 0 0 4.06 .370 9.6 7.8 0.3
18 38 34 2 6 2 0 0 3 8 2 7 0 0 .176 .222 .235 .458 26 0 0 0 3.00 .116 1.6 1.4 −0.2
14 36 34 5 6 0 0 3 8 15 1 8 0 0 .176 .222 .441 .663 76 1 3 0 4.03 .294 2.4 2.1 −0.5
6 14 13 2 2 1 1 0 1 5 1 2 0 0 .154 .214 .385 .599 60 0 1 0 4.14 .308 0.7 1.7 0.0
2 7 6 2 2 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 0 .333 .429 .333 .762 115 0 0 0 3.57 .167 1.0 6.7 0.1
3 6 5 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 .200 .333 .200 .533 53 0 1 0 3.33 .200 0.1 0.5 −0.1
3 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 −100 0 0 0 2.33 .000 −0.6 −2.7 −0.1
3 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 −100 0 0 0 4.25 .000 −0.4 −2.9 −0.1
2 4 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 .250 .250 .250 .500 39 0 0 0 4.75 .000 0.2 1.8 0.0
2 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 −100 0 0 0 3.50 .000 −0.4 −2.8 −0.1
1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 −100 0 0 0 2.00 .000 −0.2 −2.8 0.0
1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 −100 0 0 0 1.00 .000 −0.1 −2.7 0.0
Final regular season team batting totals
Player -->
Position player totals 6270 5572 863 1495 299 14 221 834 2485 569 1212 53 16 .268 .340 .446 .786 114 64 136 54
Pitcher totals 21 21 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 10 0 0 .048 .048 .048 .095 –74 0 0 0
Team totals 162 6291 5593 863 1496 299 14 221 834 2486 569 1222 53 16 .267 .339 .444 .783 113 64 136 54 3.90 .285 838.6 5.3
Rank in 15 AL teams 1 1 1 2 12 5 1 2 4 2 14 2 1 1 3 2 1 7 1
Player

Pitching

Note: Pos = Position; 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; HBP = Hit by pitch; WHIP = Walks + hits per inning pitched

bgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=15%Playerbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% Posbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% Wbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% Lbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% ERAbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% Gbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% GSbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% SVbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% IPbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% Hbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% Rbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% ERbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% BBbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% SObgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% HBPbgcolor=#DDDDFF; width=7% WHIP
Zack GreinkeSP1164.1630290171.016482793612021.17
Lance McCullers Jr.SP1353.1628280162.1122595776185101.22
Luis GarcíaSP1183.4830280155.113362605016731.18
Framber ValdezSP1163.1422220134.2110524758125111.25
José UrquidySP833.6220200107.0874343199020.99
Jake OdorizziSP674.2124230104.2975149349131.25
Cristian JavierRP413.553692101.16741405313071.18
Ryne StanekRP353.42720268.1463226378351.22
Ryan PresslyCL532.256402664.0491916138100.97
Brooks RaleyRP234.78580249.0433026166531.20
Blake TaylorRP443.16510042.2381915224101.41
Brandon Bielak344.50282150.0482925214631.38
Bryan Abreu335.75310136.0352623183631.47
Phil Maton404.97270025.1291514122431.62
Kendall Graveman113.13230023.02088122751.39
Joe Smith117.48270021.235181841731.80
Yimi García125.48230021.118151352501.08
Andre Scrubb115.03180019.2151111142101.48
Kent Emanuel102.55100017.2125541310.91
Peter Solomon101.2960014.0102281001.29
Ralph Garza Jr.124.0990011.0116571401.64
Enoli Paredes006.2312008.27106171522.77
Nivaldo Rodríguez002.454007.14224331.09
Rafael Montero010.004006.03102500.83
Josh James005.405005.04332801.20
Tyler Ivey007.711104.26441301.50
Pedro Báez002.084004.12111500.69
Seth Martinez0015.003003.05553302.67
Austin Pruitt016.752002.23220111.13
Ryan Hartman003.861002.13110201.29
Robel Garcia0036.001001.05440005.00
Totals95673.78162162341445.012316586075491456701.23
Rank in 15 AL Teams214412223411611 5
Source:https://baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2021-pitching.shtml

Awards and achievements

Major League debuts and awards

valign="top"
Player—Appeared at position
Date and opponent
  • April 1 at OAK
  • April 14 vs DET
  • April 16 at SEA
  • May 21 at TEX
  • May 29 vs SDP
  • August 1 at SFG
  • September 3 at SDP

[77] [78]
[79] [80]
[81] [82]
[83] [84]
[85] [86]
[87] [88]
[89] [90]
91st All-Star Game selections
Player
2B 7th
OF 5th
SS 2nd
RHP 2nd

See also: 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Houston Astros award winners
Name of awardRecipient
Second TeamOutfielder[91]
Designated hitter
American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player (ALCS MVP)[92]
American League Player of the MonthSeptember
Darryl Kile Award[93]
Fielding Bible AwardShortstop[94]
Fred Hartman Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball
Gold Glove AwardFirst baseman[95]
Shortstop
Gold Glove TeamAmerican League
Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Houston Astros Pitcher of the Year
Houston Astros Rookie of the Year
Platinum Glove AwardAmerican League
Sporting News AL All-StarShortstop[96]
Outfielder

AL batting leaders

Houston Astros batting leaders
CategoryPlayerFigureAL rankPlayerFigureAL rankPlayerFigureAL rank
Batting average (AVG)Yuli Gurriel.3191stMichael Brantley.3112ndKyle Tucker.2949th
On-base percentage (OBP)Yuli Gurriel.3832ndCarlos Correa.3669th
Slugging percentage (SLG)Kyle Tucker.5573rdYordan Álvarez.53110th
On-base plus slugging percentage (OPS)Kyle Tucker.9173rdYordan Álvarez.8779th
Wins Above Replacement (WAR)—position playersCarlos Correa7.21stKyle Tucker5.78th
Games playedMyles Straw1589th—tied
Plate appearancesJosé Altuve6788th
Runs scoredJosé Altuve1173rdCarlos Correa1047th
HitsYuli Gurriel1698th—tied
Doubles (2B)Kyle Tucker375th—tiedYordan Álvarez359th—tied
Runs batted in (RBI)Yordan Álvarez1048th
Stolen bases (SB)Myles Straw**302nd—tied
SinglesYuli Gurriel1236th—tied
Adjusted OPS+Kyle Tucker1475thYordan Álvarez1368th
Extra base hitsKyle Tucker7010th—tied
Times on baseJosé Altuve2378th—tied
Runs created (RC)José Altuve10510th
Note: **Played first 98 games of season with Astros before trade to Cleveland Indians on July 30, 2021.[97]
Reference:
[98]

AL pitching leaders

Houston Astros pitching leaders
CategoryPlayerFigureAL rankPlayerFigureAL rank
Earned run average (ERA)Lance McCullers Jr.3.162nd
WinsLance McCullers Jr.135th—tied
Winning percentageLance McCullers Jr..7222nd—tiedZack Greinke.64710th—tied
Walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP)Zack Greinke1.1705thLance McCullers Jr.1.2208th
Hits per nine innings pitched (H/9)Lance McCullers Jr.6.7641stZack Greinke8.6328th
Bases on balls per nine innings pitched (BB/9)Zack Greinke1.8952nd
Strikeouts per nine innings pitched (K/9)Lance McCullers Jr.10.2574th
Games pitchedRyne Stanek724th—tied
SavesRyan Pressly264th
Strikeouts (SO or K)Lance McCullers Jr.1859th—tied
Complete gamesZack Greinke13rd—tied
Home runs allowed (HR)Zack Greinke305th—tied
Bases on balls allowed (BB)Lance McCullers Jr.761st
Hits allowedZack Greinke1649th—tied
Strikeout-to-walk ratio (K/BB)Zack Greinke3.3339th
Home runs per nine innings (HR/9)Lance McCullers Jr.0.7211st
Wild pitchesLuis García99th—tiedFramber Valdez99th—tied
Hits by pitchFramber Valdez113rd—tiedLance McCullers Jr.107th—tied
Games finishedRyan Pressly494th
Adjusted ERA+Lance McCullers Jr.1362nd
Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP)Lance McCullers Jr.3.526th
Adjusted pitching runsLance McCullers Jr.226th
Championship win probability added (cWPA)Ryan Pressly2.61stLance McCullers Jr.2.08th

AL fielding leaders

Houston Astros fielding leaders
CategoryPlayerFigureAL rankPlayerFigureAL rank
Defensive Wins Above Replacement—(dWAR, Baseball-Reference)Carlos Correa2.91st
Putouts (P)Martín Maldonado1,0584thYuli Gurriel1,0575th
Assists (A)Carlos Correa3844th

Roster

2021 Houston Astros
Roster
PitchersCatchersInfieldersOutfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

Minor league system and first-year player draft

Teams

See also: Minor League Baseball. In advance of the 2021 season, Major League Baseball took direct control of, and restructured, Minor League Baseball in part with the intent of cost efficiency, and enhancing the experience and compensation for its players and directly managing their development plans. The legacy league names were replaced with generic names depicting their level of play. One significant change for Astros included aligning the Sugar Land Skeeters as their AAA club; the Skeeters were previously members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and unaffiliated with any major league clubs.[99] Sugar Land replaced the Round Rock Express.

Major League Baseball draft

See also: 2021 Major League Baseball draft.

See also

References

Footnotes
Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Dougherty . Jesse . The Rays are off to the World Series after sending the Astros home in Game 7 of the ALCS . . October 17, 2020 . October 22, 2021.
  2. Web site: . Justin Verlander throws from 90 feet as Astros ace progresses in rehab from Tommy John surgery . . May 7, 2021 . November 6, 2021.
  3. News: RotoWire Staff . Astros' Justin Verlander: Moved to 60-day injured list . . February 27, 2021 . November 6, 2021.
  4. News: McTaggart . Brian. Reliever Stanek signs 1-year deal with Astros . MLB.com . January 7, 2021 . January 7, 2021.
  5. News: McTaggart . Brian . Astros sign veteran Báez to two-year deal . MLB.com . January 13, 2021 . January 15, 2021.
  6. News: McTaggart . Brian . Astros, Jason Castro finalize 2-year deal . MLB.com . January 22, 2021 . January 22, 2021.
  7. News: Astros finalize 2-year deal with Odorizzi . McTaggart . Brian . MLB.com . March 8, 2021 . March 8, 2021.
  8. Web site: Matheson . Keegan . January 23, 2021 . Springer, Blue Jays finalize 6-year deal . January 23, 2021 . MLB.com.
  9. News: Piecoro . Nick . Arizona Diamondbacks sign veteran outfielder Josh Reddick . . April 12, 2021 . October 22, 2021.
  10. ESPN . RHP Lance McCullers Jr. agrees to $85M extension with Houston Astros, sources say . ESPN . March 24, 2011 . October 22, 2021.
  11. News: Gameday: Astros 8, Athletics 1 . MLB.com . April 1, 2021 . October 23, 2021.
  12. Web site: 2021 Houston Astros uniform numbers . Baseball-Reference.com . October 24, 2021.
  13. Web site: Houston Astros Opening Day starters . Baseball-Reference.com . October 24, 2021.
  14. News: McTaggart . Brian . Greinke's gem lifts Astros to record OD win . MLB.com . April 2, 2021 . October 23, 2021.
  15. Web site: Chas McCormick stats . . October 23, 2021.
  16. News: Rome . Chandler . Ryan Pressly reaches vesting threshold, guaranteeing 2022 salary with Astros . Houston Chronicle . September 23, 2021 . October 19, 2021.
  17. News: Smith . Brian T. . Michael Brantley returns at perfect time for Astros . Houston Chronicle . October 7, 2021 . October 18, 2021.
  18. News: McTaggart . Brian . Javier fans career-high 9 in rotation return . MLB.com . April 22, 2021 . October 20, 2021.
  19. MLB Stats . MLBStats . 1385408640253939712 . April 22, 2021 . Cristian Javier is the first @astros pitcher to record the first 8 outs of a game via strikeout since 1986 (Jim Deshaies 9/23). h/t: @StatsBySTATS https://t.co/plUtMaXxj2 . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211021054049/https://twitter.com/MLBStats/status/1385408640253939712 . October 21, 2021 . live.
  20. News: . McCullers leads Astros over Rays 9–2, 1st meeting since ALCS . . April 30, 2021 . October 20, 2021.
  21. News: McTaggart . Brian . Houston's all-time single-season team . MLB.com . December 1, 2021 . December 26, 2021.
  22. News: McTaggart . Brian . 'He's a hitter': Yordan goes off once more . MLB.com . May 8, 2021 . October 20, 2021.
  23. News: Associated Press . Kershaw's strong start gives Dodgers 9–2 win over Astros . ESPN.com . May 25, 2021 . November 13, 2021.
  24. News: McTaggart . Brian . Greinke hurls CG in Astros' 13-run onslaught . MLB.com . June 4, 2021 . October 18, 2021.
  25. News: ESPN . Houston Astros' Aledmys Diaz out 6 to 8 weeks with broken hand . ESPN.com . June 6, 2021 . November 28, 2021.
  26. News: Footer . Alyson . Astros hit 6 homers to sweep away Rangers . MLB.com . June 16, 2021 . October 18, 2021.
  27. News: Footer . Alyson . Quad injury forces Bregman to IL . MLB.com . June 17, 2021 . October 18, 2021.
  28. Web site: Jose Altuve Career Home Runs . July 29, 2021 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  29. News: Lerner . Danielle . Astros' Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Michael Brantley, Ryan Pressly selected as All-Star reserves . Houston Chronicle . July 4, 2021 . July 31, 2021.
  30. News: McTaggart . Brian . Astros trade for MIA reliever Yimi García . MLB.com . July 28, 2021 . July 28, 2021.
  31. News: Young . Matt . Astros trade Myles Straw to Cleveland for reliever Phil Maton . Houston Chronicle . July 30, 2021 . November 14, 2021.
  32. News: Kaplan . Jake . In their surprise trade of Myles Straw, the Astros make a big bet on Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers . July 31, 2021 . July 31, 2021 . The Athletic.
  33. News: On the arrival of Astros outfielder Jake Meyers, a late bloomer from a Nebraska baseball family . Jake . Kaplan . The Athletic . August 2, 2021 . August 2, 2021.
  34. News: Jake rakes! Meyers hits 1st HR, adds slam . Brian . McTaggart . . August 15, 2021 . August 15, 2021.
  35. News: ESPN News Services . Alex Bregman, out since June, returns to Houston Astros, scores winning run . August 25, 2021. ESPN.com . October 18, 2021.
  36. Berman . Mark . MarkBermanFox26 . 1437628233856561152 . September 14, 2021 . How about this remarkable fact provided by the #Astros: Since RBIs became official in 1920, no player, entering tonight, had ever had 2 or more HR and 5 or more RBIs in their first-career start. Jose Siri is the first. . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211018214234/https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/1437628233856561152 . October 18, 2021 . live.
  37. News: Siri, tell me how to make history: Rook does it . MLB.com . September 13, 2021 . October 18, 2021.
  38. Rome . Chandler . Chandler_Rome . 1437618178234925061 . September 13, 2021 . Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman are the two youngest players in Astros history to have 30-homer seasons. Bregman had 31 during his age-24 season in 2018. Alvarez has 30 now during his age-24 season. . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211021044044/https://twitter.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1437618178234925061 . October 21, 2021 . live.
  39. Houston Astros . Houston Astros . astros . 1439055786248912897 . September 17, 2021 . Jose Altuve hit his 849th career hit inside Minute Maid Park which ties Lance Berkman for the stadium record. https://t.co/sPkRpyd7ed . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211018204351/https://twitter.com/astros/status/1439055786248912897 . October 18, 2021 . live.
  40. Houston Astros . Houston Astros . astros . 1439391369903157248 . September 18, 2021 . With that double, @JoseAltuve27 now has the most hits in Minute Maid Park history with 850! #ForTheH https://t.co/Jy65RRBmWU . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211025161503/https://twitter.com/astros/status/1439391369903157248 . October 25, 2021 . live.
  41. MLB Stats . MLBStats . 1440530402154663937 . September 22, 2021 . .@TeamCJCorrea is the first @astros SS to score 100 runs in a season. https://t.co/MzG1o4kIwv . en . October 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210922151753/https://twitter.com/MLBStats/status/1440530402154663937 . September 22, 2021 . live.
  42. News: Rome . Chandler . Astros travel dressed as Zack Greinke in fishing shirts, short shorts and bucket hats . Houston Chronicle . September 19, 2021 . October 18, 2021.
  43. Schwab . Michael . michaelschwab13 . 1440856394471596045 . September 22, 2021 . Yordan Alvarez is the 2nd youngest Astro to reach 100+ RBI, passing Bregman. https://t.co/OTJJp6cjYC . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210923095402/https://twitter.com/michaelschwab13/status/1440856394471596045 . September 23, 2021 . live.
  44. Spaeder . Ryan . theaceofspaeder . 1443053629984886789 . September 28, 2021 . Most recent teams to tie and then walk-off a game on consecutive bases on balls: Sept. 28, 2021 – #Astros July 2, 2019 – Dodgers May 6, 1994 – Cardinals May 3, 1979 – Brewers April 18, 1979 – Padres April 18, 1969 – Dodgers July 27, 1961 – Cubs July 18, 1931 – Athletics . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210929091638/https://twitter.com/theaceofspaeder/status/1443053629984886789 . September 29, 2021 . live.
  45. Web site: MLB Press Release . Astros clinch American League West division title for fourth time in five seasons . MLB.com . September 30, 2021 . October 23, 2021.
  46. News: Lerner . Danielle . After worst year of his career, batting champ Yuli Gurriel primed for World Series run at age 37 . Houston Chronicle . October 6, 2021 . October 8, 2021.
  47. News: Young . Matt . Yuli Gurriel becomes second Astros player to win a batting title . Houston Chronicle . October 3, 2021. October 3, 2021.
  48. Web site: Michael Brantley stats . Baseball-Reference.com . October 18, 2021.
  49. News: Adler . David . Tucker, O'Neill top players for September . MLB.com . October 4, 2021 . October 14, 2021.
  50. News: Young . Matt . Details behind the longtime feud between Dusty Baker, Tony La Russa: The Astros, White Sox managers have a long history with each other . Houston Chronicle . October 6, 2021 . October 14, 2021.
  51. News: Zwerneman . Brent . It stings, but injured Jake Meyers is ready to find other ways to help Astros . Houston Chronicle . October 22, 2021 . November 14, 2021.
  52. News: Pope . Lamond . 'A fun ride' for the 2021 Chicago White Sox ends well short of the ultimate goal after a Game 4 loss in the ALDS: 'It hurts, but ... we're only going to grow from it' . . October 12, 2021 . November 13, 2021.
  53. Houston Astros . Houston Astros . astros . 1449237971824173056 . October 16, 2021 . .@JoseAltuve27 & @TeamCJCorrea have played 65 career postseason games together, the most by any 2B/SS duo in @MLB history. #ForTheH https://t.co/JsPg1i09VY . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211016060233/https://twitter.com/astros/status/1449237971824173056 . October 16, 2021 . live.
  54. Web site: MLB Postseason . MLB.com . October 11, 2021.
  55. News: McTaggart . Brian . One of best ever? Astros INF has a case: Awards, accomplishments continue to pile up for foursome after 5 years together . MLB.com . October 17, 2021 . October 17, 2021.
  56. News: Young . Matt . A deep dive into the ninth inning that saved the Astros season . Houston Chronicle . October 20, 2021 . October 21, 2021.
  57. News: Framber's gem lifts Astros to cusp of pennant . Brian . McTaggart . MLB.com . October 20, 2021 . October 20, 2021.
  58. News: Kramer . Daniel . Alvarez (3 hits, 3 RBIs) unleashes in Game 5 . MLB.como . October 20, 2021 . October 21, 2021.
  59. News: Sox on brink of elimination as bats stay cold . Ian . Browne . MLB.com . October 20, 2021 . October 20, 2021.
  60. MLB Network . MLB Network . MLBNetwork . 1451183489668337665 . October 21, 2021 . Fenway dominance. @astros l #ForTheH https://t.co/gv8eLzUbRt . ht . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211025211958/https://twitter.com/mlbnetwork/status/1451183489668337665 . October 25, 2021 . live.
  61. News: Rieken . Kristie . The Houston Astros advance to the World Series for the 2nd times in 3 years, eliminating the Boston Red Sox 5–0 in Game 6 of the ALCS . . October 22, 2021 . October 23, 2021.
  62. News: Langs . Sarah . He's back! 7 incredible facts on Dusty in WS . MLB.com . October 23, 2021 . October 23, 2021.
  63. News: Polishuk . Matt . How The Astros Built Their AL Championship Team . MLB Trade Rumors . October 23, 2021 . October 23, 2021.
  64. Web site: MLB Postseason . MLB.com . October 23, 2021.
  65. Suteland . Edward . The play that broke up Braves' combined no-hitter vs. Astros in World Series Game 3, explained . Sporting News . October 30, 2021 . November 28, 2021.
  66. News: Soler clears train tracks for massive 3-run HR . MLB.com . November 2, 2021 . November 2, 2021.
  67. News: Braves win 1st World Series title since 1995 . Anthony . Castrovince . . November 2, 2021 . November 2, 2021.
  68. News: McCalvy. Adam. Soler clears train tracks, hauls in Series MVP. MLB.com. November 3, 2021. November 4, 2021.
  69. Web site: 2021-11-03 . Joc Pederson celebrating World Series win with his pearls and a cigar is a mood . 2022-10-22 . For The Win . en-US.
  70. Apstein . Stephanie . Pearls Before Swing . 2022-10-22 . Sports Illustrated . en-us.
  71. News: Adler . David . Arenado, Correa take home Platinum Gloves: Cardinals, Astros named best defensive squads with Gold Glove Team Awards . MLB.com . November 12, 2021 . November 12, 2021.
  72. News: Murphy . Brian . Silver Slugger Award finalists announced . MLB.com . October 25, 2021 . November 13, 2021.
  73. News: Harrigan . Thomas . Silver Slugger Award winners announced . MLB.com . November 11, 2021 . November 13, 2021.
  74. News: Berry . Adam . Arozarena wins AL ROY Award; Wander 3rd . MLB.com . November 15, 2021 . November 15, 2021.
  75. News: Rome . Chandler . Astros' Dusty Baker finalist for AL Manager of the Year . Houston Chronicle . November 8, 2021 . November 15, 2021.
  76. News: Landry . Kennedi . Baker third in AL Manager of Year balloting: Astros skipper previously a three-time winner in NL with San Francisco . MLB.com . November 16, 2021 . November 21, 2021.
  77. Web site: Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics box score, April 1, 2021 . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  78. Web site: Chas McCornick stats . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  79. Web site: Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros box score, April 14, 2021 . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  80. Web site: Ronnie Dawson stats . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  81. Web site: Houston Astros at Seattle Mariners box score, April 16, 2021 . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  82. Web site: Alex De Goti stats . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  83. Web site: Houston Astros at Texas Rangers box score, May 21, 2021 . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  84. Web site: Tyler Ivey stats . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  85. Web site: Ralph Garza stats . Baseball-Reference.com . November 3, 2021.
  86. Web site: San Diego Padres at Houston Astros box score . Baseball-Reference.com . May 29, 2021 . November 3, 2021.
  87. Web site: Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants box score, August 1, 2021 . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  88. Web site: Jake Meyers stats . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  89. Web site: Houston Astros at San Diego Padres box score, September 3, 2021 . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  90. Web site: José Siri stats . Baseball-Reference.com . November 8, 2021.
  91. News: Castrovince . Anthony . The '21 All-MLB Team is here. And it's stacked . MLB.com . November 23, 2021 . November 23, 2021.
  92. News: Wagner . James . In a place he never thought he'd be, and thriving: Houston's Yordan Alvarez grew up in Cuba believing he'd never need to learn English. The M.V.P. of the A.L.C.S. lets his tape measure homers do the talking. . The New York Times . October 21, 2021 . October 23, 2021.
  93. News: Astros Press Release . Houston BBWAA announces Astros award winners . MLB.com . October 5, 2021 . October 20, 2021.
  94. News: Rome . Chandler . Five Astros are finalists for American League Gold Glove awards . Houston Chronicle . October 28, 2021 . November 1, 2021.
  95. News: Adler . David . Your 2021 Gold Glove Award winners are ... . MLB.com . November 7, 2021 . November 7, 2021.
  96. Foster . Jason . Sporting News 2021 MLB awards: Ohtani voted top player; Posey leads Giants in strong showing . Sporting News . October 28, 2021 . November 2, 2021.
  97. Web site: Myles Straw stats . Baseball-Reference.com . October 18, 2021.
  98. Web site: 2021 American League batting leaders . Baseball-Reference.com . October 13, 2021.
  99. News: Major League Baseball issues invites for minor-league affiliates; here are teams that didn't make cut . Gabe . Lacques . . December 9, 2020 . December 10, 2020.
  100. News: Astros 2021 MLB Draft recap . MLB.com . June 13, 2021 . October 18, 2021.