The 2022 Houston Astros season was the 61st season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 58th as the Astros, 10th in both the American League (AL) and AL West division, and 23rd at Minute Maid Park. The Astros, who entered the season as both the defending AL and AL West champions, looked to avenge their 2021 World Series loss to the Atlanta Braves.
An owners' lockout of players was implemented on December 2, 2021, following the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between MLB and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA), and concluded March 10, 2022, delaying the start of the regular season by one week. On April 7, Framber Valdez made his first Opening Day start for Houston at Angel Stadium, as the Astros defeated Los Angeles, 3–1. It was the Astros' tenth consecutive victory on Opening Day to establish a modern-day major league record. On May 3, Dusty Baker became the 12th manager all-time to attain 2,000 wins with a 4–0 win over the Seattle Mariners.
Two Astros pitchers, Luis García and Phil Maton, each tossed an immaculate inning on June 15, to achieve the first occurrence in major league history in which more than one immaculate inning was pitched on the same day. On June 25, Cristian Javier, Héctor Neris and Ryan Pressly combined to no-hit the New York Yankees for the 14th no-hitter in team history. The following game, José Urquidy extended the hitless streak of New York to innings, tying an expansion-era record. Five Astros players garnered selection to the MLB All-Star Game, including pitcher Justin Verlander (ninth career selection), second baseman Jose Altuve (eighth), designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, outfielder Kyle Tucker, and Valdez (first each), while Dusty Baker was named manger (second selection).
The Astros secured a sixth consecutive playoff berth following a 5–0 win against the Oakland Athletics on September 16. On September 19, they clinched their fifth AL West title in the last six seasons following a 4–0 win against the Tampa Bay Rays. With a 106–56 regular season record, this win total represented the second-highest total to date in franchise history—trailing only the 2019 club (107)—and fifth time having reached 100. Their AL West title was the 12th division title in franchise history, seventh playoff berth over the previous eight seasons, and 16th playoff appearance overall.
Houston swept Seattle in the American League Division Series (ALDS) to reach the American League Championship Series (ALCS) for a sixth straight season, in doing so becoming the first team in major league history to win a postseason series in six consecutive seasons. Starting with Alvarez' walk-off home run in Game 1 of the ALDS, he hit three go-ahead home runs with his team trailing in the sixth inning or later during the 2022 playoffs; no other player had ever done so more than once during his career. The Astros then swept the New York Yankees in the ALCS for their fourth AL pennant and fifth pennant overall. They advanced to the World Series and faced the Philadelphia Phillies. In Game 4, Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Pressly all combined for another no-hitter, just the second in World Series history. On November 5, they defeated the Phillies 4–1 in Game 6 at Minute Maid Park to win their second championship and first since 2017, capped by Alvarez' third go-ahead home run of the playoffs. Rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña claimed both ALCS and World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors after having hit .345 with four home runs and eight runs batted in during the playoffs.
Following the season, Verlander won his third Cy Young Award, Altuve and Alvarez both won Silver Slugger Awards, and Peña and Tucker won Gold Glove Awards. Moreover, Altuve, Alvarez, Verlander and Valdez all received All-MLB First Team honors, while Tucker and Pressly were selected to the All-MLB Second Team.
Offseason Summary The Houston Astros entered the 2022 MLB season as runners-up in the 2021 World Series championship, falling to the Atlanta Braves in six games. It was the Astros' third World Series appearance in five years, including a route to their fifth consecutive American League (AL) Championship Series. They had won the AL West division with 95–67 record, their fourth division championship in five seasons.
Personnel On November 3, 2021, the day following the ending of the World Series, seven Astros were declared free agents, including Carlos Correa, Yimi García, Marwin González, Kendall Graveman, Zack Greinke, Brooks Raley, and Justin Verlander.
Pitching coach Brent Strom announced on November 2 that he was leaving the organization and would contemplate retiring from professional baseball. Heralded as an essential architect of an era of increasingly-dominant Astros pitching, the 73 year-old rejoined the Astros in 2014. Ably blending his experience and teaching with analytics, he coached Dallas Keuchel and Verlander in their Cy Young-winning seasons (2015 and 2019, respectively) and was credited with assisting Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton in elevating their own success. Club owner and chairman Jim Crane announced on November 5 that the Astros re-signed manager Dusty Baker for the 2022 season, to return for a third season with the club. Through the 2021 season, Baker had won 1,987 games in 24 seasons over his managerial career.
Former manager Bill Virdon died at age 90 on November 23, 2021, and was survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley. He was the Astros' franchise leader in wins by a manager, and guided them to their first playoff berth in 1980, when they fell one victory short of advancing to the World Series. He managed the Astros for eight seasons, from 1975 to 1982, and also led the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Montreal Expos. A former major league outfielder, Virdon hit .404 against the legendary Sandy Koufax, the highest average allowed to a single hitter by the Hall of Famer during his career.
Uniform addition To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Major League Baseball in Houston, the Astros unveiled commemorative shield patches for their New Era on-field caps and on the sleeve of the uniforms to be worn throughout the 2022 season. Displaying the number 60 prominently within an orange home plate-shaped shield, it was outlined with a navy blue border flanked by white piping on the outside of the border, and ensconced within the nadir of the shield, the Astros star-H logo. The outline of the state of Texas was suspended within the zero, the Colt .45 logo with "1962" on the bottom left side, and the current Astros wordmark logo and "2022" on the bottom right. The club would celebrate its 60 years in Houston throughout the season, including special commemorations Flashback Friday games.
Negotiation of collective bargaining agreement Lockout
On December 1, 2021, the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) expired, with no substantial, new agreement being materialized. Thus, the team owners voted unanimously to lockout the players, stopping all free agency and trades. On December 2, 2021, Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred announced that the league had instituted the lockout. On March 10, 2022, the MLB and MLBPA agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement, thus ending the lockout. Spring training games began on March 17. Opening Day, originally scheduled for March 31, would instead take place on April 7. Although MLB previously announced that series would be cancelled due to the lockout, the new agreement provided for a full, 162-game season, with any games cancelled games to be made up via doubleheaders.
Rule changes Pursuant to the new CBA, several new rules were instituted for the 2022 season. The National League adopted the designated hitter full-time, a draft lottery was implemented, postseason eligibility was expanded from ten teams to twelve, and advertising patches appeared on player uniforms and helmets for the first time.
Spring training Two players continued recovery from injuries sustained in the 2021 American League Division Series (ALDS) and missed the start of the regular season with estimated return dates uncertain. Starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (right forearm strain) was still unable to throw in spring training. Jake Meyers, who torn the labrum in his left shoulder, underwent surgery following the conclusion of the World Series. Forrest Whitley, on the Astros' 40-man roster, was recovering from Tommy John surgery as of the start of the 2022 season.
On March 30, the Astros named Framber Valdez their Opening Day starter, scheduled on April 7, 2022, versus the Los Angeles Angels. Justin Verlander, who had previously handled the duties, was technically available. Due to the shortened spring training and his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery, he was instead scheduled to make his first start of the season on April 9.
The Astros and closer Ryan Pressly agreed to terms on a new contract extension on April 5, worth $30 million guaranteed. A two-year contract, it covered the 2023 and 2024 seasons, with an option for 2025.
Regular season Summary April Opening Weekend series, April 7–10 at Los Angeles Angels: Houston won series, 3–1
+ Opening Day starting lineup Player Position 27 Jose Altuve Second baseman 11 23 Michael Brantley Left fielder 4 2 Alex Bregman Third baseman 6 44 Yordan Alvarez Designated hitter 2 10 Yuli Gurriel First baseman 5 30 Kyle Tucker Right fielder 2 3 Jeremy Peña Shortstop 1 20 Chas McCormick Center fielder 1 15 Martín Maldonado Catcher 3 59 Framber Valdez Pitcher 1 Venue: Angel Stadium • Houston 3, Los Angeles 1 Sources:
On April 7, Astros left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez made his first career Opening Day start at Angel Stadium, opposite Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani, the reigning American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP). Rookie Jeremy Peña, making his major league debut, replaced at shortstop longtime franchise cornerstone Carlos Correa, who had departed via free agency. Valdez carried a shutout and had retired 15 consecutive batters until he pitched to Mike Trout in the bottom of the seventh inning. He reached on a throwing error by Peña, but Anthony Rendon grounded into a double play to deny the threat. Valdez, relying on his sinker in 50 percent of the pitches, got nine total ground ball outs. He recorded scoreless innings pitched, while Ohtani allowed one run over innings. Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez hit back-to-back home runs versus relief pitcher Ryan Tepera in the eighth inning. The Astros prevailed, 3–1, allowing Valdez to win his first start on Opening Day, and giving the club a record-tying 10th consecutive Opening Day win. The Boston Beaneaters first accomplished the feat from 1887 to 1896.
The Astros won the second game of the season, 13–6, aided by Peña's first major league home run. Batting versus Mike Mayers in the seventh inning, he hit it 423 feet to left field while his parents, Cecilia and former major league second baseman Gerónimo Peña, were interviewed by Heidi Watney on Apple TV+. The home run ignited an eight-run inning. Peña totaled three hits for the day—including his first in the major leagues in the second inning. Right fielder Kyle Tucker homered twice, and Jose Altuve, Aledmys Díaz and Alex Bregman each homered as well.
Ace Justin Verlander made his first start since July 24, 2020, on April 9 versus Los Angeles. He completed five innings, allowed three hits–yielding a home run to Jared Walsh–and struck out seven. Walsh's home provided all the offense in the game as the Angels handed the Astros their first defeat of the season in a 2–0 score.