TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Houston Astros (73-71) will take on the Philadelphia Phillies (81-63) tonight in the 1st game of a 3-game series at Citizens Bank Park.
RHP Hayden Wesneski (4-1, 3.18 ERA) will start for the Astros vs. Phillies RHP Andrew Painter (3-8, 5.55 ERA). Tonight will be Wesneski’s 1st career start and 2nd career app. at Citizens Bank Park.
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ASTROS-PHILS: Tonight is the 585th regular season game between the Astros and Phillies, The Phillies were the Astros opponent in the 1st official game played in the Astrodome, played on April 12, 1965. Phils won, 2-0, with HOFer Dick Allen hitting the 1st-ever HR in the Dome. Currently, the Astros have won their last 4 games vs. the Phillies. They swept a 3-game series vs. PHI at Daikin Park in the last meeting between the 2 clubs, June 2426 of 2025. Astros pitchers allowed just 1 run in those 3 games combined.
Last Visit to CPB: The Phils took 2 of 3 from HOU in the last series here in Philly, Aug. 26-28 of 2024. In the final game of that series, Yordan Alvarez went 4×4 with 3 HR in a 10-0 Astros win.
Postseason History: The Astros and Phils have met twice in the postseason, with PHI taking the 1980 NLCS and the Astros winning the 2022 World Series.
BIG WES: RHP Hayden Wesneski has been outstanding in his last 3 starts, posting a 2-0 record while allowing just 1 run and 5 hits in a combined 17.0 innings for an 0.53 ERA. The Astros are 6-1 in his 7 overall starts for Wesneski, who made his 2026 debut on July 29 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Wesneski was acquired from the Cubs along with Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith in exchange for Kyle Tucker on Dec. 13, 2024. He is 1-1 in 4 career app. (2 GS) vs. PHI in his career with a 4.96 ERA.
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ROAD WARRIORS: Tonight is the 1st game of a 6-game road trip for the Astros (3g at PHI, 3g at TB). Since going 1-9 on the first road trip of the 2026 season, the Astros have gone 35-24 (.593) on the road since April 14, which ranks third in the Majors in that span. More recently, they are 19-12 (.613) on their last five road trips combined.
SLOW AND STEADY RECOVERY: Since starting the season with a 20-31 record after 51 games, the Astros are 53-40 (.570) in their last 93 games (since May 22). That is the second-best record in the AL in that span, behind only the Red Sox (55-38).
WINNING THE WEST: The Astros currently hold a 2.0-game lead in the AL West over the 2nd-place Rangers. HOU finished at 9-4 vs. TEX, so they hold the tiebreaker vs. them.
STARTING STRONG: During the Astros’ just-concluded 7-game homestand, Astros starters posted a 2.13 ERA (9ER/38IP) with 37 strikeouts. Additionally, during the Astros just-concluded stretch of 13 games in 13 days, Astros starters posted a 2.89 ERA (21ER/65.1IP). HOU was 8-5 in that stretch.
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THE HIT MAN: Jose Altuve enters tonight just 1 hit shy of reaching 2,500 for his career.
Another Record: Altuve’s 3-hit game on Sunday vs. ARI was the 225th of his career, which ties Craig Biggio for the most in franchise history. Among active players, Altuve ranks 2nd in hits, trailing only Freddie Freeman (2,587).
TRIPLE THREAT: Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently owns at least a share of the lead in all three Triple Crown categories. He enters tonight leading the AL in batting avg. (.314), while ranking tied for first in HR (38) and RBI (95). Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.031) and total bases (3-5).
Rare Feat: Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown win
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CHALLENGING STRETCH: The Astros are 4-3 thus far while in the midst of a stretch of playing 4 consecutive teams that would be in the postseason if the season ended today (CWS, ARI, PHI, TB, respectively). They went 3-1 vs. CWS and 1-2 vs. ARI.
MEASURING UP: The Astros are 26-17 (.605) vs. teams currently at .500 or above, which is the 2ndbest record in the Majors in that category.
RECENT ROSTER MOVE: Following Sunday’s game, the Astros announced the following roster moves:
-claimed OF Jorge Barrosa off waivers from ARI. He is scheduled to be active tonight vs. PHI.
-optioned OF Jake Meyers to Triple A Sugar Land following Sunday’s game.
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-transferred RHP Mike Burrows to the 60-day IL.
TWO-OUT MAGIC: The Astros lead the American League in two-out runs with 293 on the season. 3B Isaac Paredes has led this effort, as he leads the AL in two-out RBI with 39.
STREAKING: LHP Josh Hader has worked 21 consecutive scoreless appearances, spanning 22.0 innings (since July 21). This is the longest streak by an Astros hurler this season and the second-longest active streak in the Majors. Opponents are just 5×71 (.070) vs. Hader during the streak. Hader has 23 saves in 23 opportunities, giving him the most saves in the Majors this season without a blown save.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Josh Hader recorded his 250th career save on Friday night vs. ARI, becoming the 41st player in modern MLB history to reach 250 career saves.
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THREE-BAGGERS: Cam Smith is T-1st in the AL in triples with 6. He has tallied 3 triples in his last 12 games. His 6 triples are the most in a single season by an Astro since OF Kyle Tucker recorded 6 triples in 2020.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1993 – In the Astrodome, RHP Darryl Kile makes history, hurling a no-hitter in a 7-1 win over the Mets. Kile records the final out via strikeout to secure the no-no. It is the 9th no-hitter in Astros history.
2004 – The Astros tie a franchise record with their 12th consecutive win, which is a 5-2 victory vs. the Reds. The Astros hit 4 HR in the 1st inning, all off Reds starter Jose Acevedo.
Game Info
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Game Date/Time: Tuesday, September 8, 5:40 p.m. CT
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
TV: Space City Home Network; TBS Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
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