/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6558419/143142928.jpg)
Walk into any sports bar in Echo Park or downtown Houston, and you'll feel it. That thick, unmistakable tension. It’s been nearly a decade since the 2017 World Series, but the animosity between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers hasn't faded. Honestly, it's probably gotten weirder.
Most people think this is just about a trash can and some stolen signs. It’s not. Not anymore.
What we’re looking at in 2026 is a collision of two completely different philosophies. You’ve got the Dodgers, the perennial "Evil Empire" of the West, throwing massive contracts at every generational talent like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Then you have the Astros, who have spent years leaning into the "villain" role while somehow continuing to churn out elite talent like Yainer Diaz and keeping the core of Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman relevant well into their 30s.
The Most Recent Fireworks (2025 Recap)
If you missed the 2025 series at Dodger Stadium, you missed a bloodbath. Specifically, July 4th, 2025. You’d think the Dodgers would have the home-field advantage on Independence Day, but the Astros absolutely dismantled them in an 18-1 blowout. It was one of those games where everything the Dodgers threw up there got sent into the bleachers.
Houston didn't just win; they swept that three-game set in July.
- July 4, 2025: Astros 18, Dodgers 1.
- July 5, 2025: Astros 6, Dodgers 4.
- July 6, 2025: Astros 5, Dodgers 1.
The series finale was particularly gutting for LA fans. Ryan Gusto, who most casual fans barely knew, went six strong innings and silenced a lineup that included Ohtani and Mookie Betts. Christian Walker, who has historically treated Dodger Stadium like his personal batting cage, launched a homer that day. So did Altuve.
Seeing Jose Altuve trot around the bases at Chavez Ravine while 50,000 people boo at the top of their lungs? That’s basically a tradition at this point.
✨ Don't miss: Why Knee Straps for Squats Might Be the Most Misunderstood Tool in Your Gym Bag
Why the Astros vs Dodgers Beef Never Dies
The 2017 scandal is the bedrock. We know the story: the camera in center field, the monitor in the tunnel, the trash can bangs. When MLB confirmed the sign-stealing in early 2020, it turned a classic competitive rivalry into a moral crusade for Dodgers fans. They feel robbed of a title.
But here is what most people get wrong. The anger isn't just about 2017. It's about the fact that the Astros didn't go away.
Usually, when a team gets caught in a scandal of that magnitude, they crumble. The core leaves. The winning stops. But Houston just kept winning. They went to more World Series. They won another ring in 2022. For a Dodgers fan, that’s the ultimate insult. It’s like the "bad guy" in the movie won, and then the sequel was about him winning even more.
The Pitching Chess Match
In 2026, the strategy has shifted from "power vs. power" to a fascinating psychological game. Framber Valdez is still the "horse" for Houston. He’s that left-handed ace who can induce a ground ball exactly when he needs it. Watching him face Ohtani is like watching a high-stakes poker game.
During the July 2025 series, Joe Espada (the Astros manager) actually left Valdez in to face Ohtani with the game on the line. Valdez was over 100 pitches. Most managers would pull him. Espada stayed. Valdez threw a sinker, Ohtani grounded out to Altuve, and the inning was over.
It’s those tiny moments that define Astros vs Dodgers matchups now. It’s less about the history and more about the "who blinks first" mentality between two teams that genuinely don't like each other.
Key Players to Watch in 2026
The rosters look a bit different now, but the heavy hitters remain.
Shohei Ohtani is obviously the sun that the Dodgers' universe revolves around. By now, he’s back on the mound and hitting at an MVP level. When he’s pitching against Houston, it’s a national event. But the Astros have found a way to neutralize the Dodgers' star power with guys like Yordan Alvarez, who remains arguably the most feared left-handed hitter in the American League.
The Walker Factor
One name that keeps popping up in these matchups is Christian Walker. He joined the Astros and has continued his absolute dominance of the Dodgers. In 2025, his OPS at Dodger Stadium was an absurd 1.203. Some players just see the ball better in certain parks, and for Walker, Chavez Ravine is basically a local park where he plays home run derby.
The Bullpen War
Josh Hader has been the stabilizing force for Houston’s back end. In 2025, he led the majors in saves and was pivotal in slamming the door on any Dodger comebacks. On the flip side, the Dodgers' bullpen has undergone some turnover, relying on high-velocity arms that sometimes struggle with the discipline of the Astros' veteran hitters.
What Really Happened with the Fan Culture?
If you go to a game in Houston (now at Daikin Park, formerly Minute Maid), the atmosphere is defensive. Fans feel like the world is against them, so they lean into it. They wear the "Houston vs. Everyone" shirts. They cheer louder for Altuve because they know he’s hated elsewhere.
In Los Angeles, it’s different. It’s a mix of grief and pure, unadulterated spite. You’ll see fans wearing "2017 World Series Champions" shirts with the Dodgers logo, basically protesting the history books.
The security at these games has to be top-tier. There’s a lot of "friendly" chirping that turns unfriendly real fast once the beer starts flowing in the 7th inning. It's one of the few remaining rivalries in baseball that feels genuinely personal.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule
The 2026 season brings another set of high-stakes meetings.
- May 4, 2026: The Dodgers travel to Daikin Park in Houston. This is a big one because it's early in the season and sets the tone for the summer.
- Late Summer: Expect a return trip to Los Angeles, where the heat (both literal and metaphorical) will be at its peak.
Tickets for these games are already some of the most expensive non-postseason seats in baseball. If you're planning to go, you'd better book early.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're betting on or just watching these games, here’s how to approach it:
- Ignore the "Home Field" Narrative: As we saw in 2025, the Astros aren't intimidated by Los Angeles. In fact, they seem to play better under the boos.
- Watch the Left-on-Left Matchups: Both teams have elite left-handed hitters (Ohtani/Freeman for LA, Alvarez/Tucker for Houston). The game is often won or lost in the 7th or 8th inning when the specialist relievers come in.
- Monitor Christian Walker’s Stats: If he’s in the lineup at Dodger Stadium, he is almost a lock for a multi-hit game.
- Pitch Count Matters: Managers like Espada are more willing to let their starters "ride" against big stars than the analytics-heavy Dodgers bench might be.
Whether you love them or hate them, the Astros vs Dodgers rivalry is the best thing going in baseball right now. It has a villain, it has superstars, and it has a history that refuses to be forgotten.
To keep up with the latest roster moves before the May series, you should check the official injury reports on MLB.com about 48 hours before first pitch, as both teams have been dealing with veteran pitcher fatigue early this season.