If you’re typing "what is the score for the astros" into your search bar right now on this Saturday morning in mid-January, I’ve got some news that might be a little bit of a letdown. Or maybe it's a relief, depending on how much you value your sleep.
The Houston Astros didn't play a game today. In fact, nobody in Major League Baseball did.
It is January 17, 2026. We are currently sitting in that quiet, frozen pocket of the winter where the only "scoring" happening is in the front office and on the bank statements of free agents. The 2025 season is in the rearview mirror—and for Astros fans, that mirror might be a little cracked after the way things ended—while the 2026 season is still a few weeks of frost away.
Where Things Stand Right Now
Honestly, the "score" for the Astros today isn't measured in runs or hits. It's measured in roster spots. If you’re looking for the last time they actually took the field, you have to look back to the end of the 2025 regular season.
The Astros finished 2025 with an 87-75 record.
On paper, that’s a winning season. Most teams would kill for 87 wins. But for a franchise that has treated the American League Championship Series like a mandatory annual meeting for nearly a decade, it was a gut punch. They finished second in the AL West, trailing the Seattle Mariners (90-72), and for the first time since 2016, Houston missed the postseason entirely.
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The streak is over. The "score" of the 2025 campaign was a big, fat zero in the playoff column.
Why You Might Be Seeing "Live" Scores
You might be seeing some weird data popping up on Google or social media that looks like a score. Let’s clear that up. There are a few reasons why your search for "what is the score for the astros" might be giving you confusing results:
- Replays and Simulations: Some networks run "classic" games this time of year. If you see a score like 13-3 or 11-1, you might be catching a replay of that June 2025 series where they absolutely demolished the Athletics.
- Winter Leagues: A few prospects are usually grinding away in the Dominican or Venezuelan Winter Leagues. While they aren't wearing the Space City jerseys, die-hard fans often track those box scores.
- Spring Training Hype: We are exactly 35 days away from the first real score that matters. On February 21, 2026, the Astros will face the Washington Nationals in their Spring Training opener at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
The Offseason "Scorecard": Who’s In and Who’s Out?
If we’re talking about how the team is scoring in the offseason, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. Kinda stressful, if I'm being real with you.
The biggest news—the one that still feels like a typo every time I see it—is that Alex Bregman is gone. He signed a massive five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs earlier this month. Seeing Bregman in anything other than Houston navy and orange is going to be jarring, like seeing your middle school teacher at a dive bar.
Then there's the Kyle Tucker situation. The "King Tuck" era in Houston appears to be over, as reports have him heading to the Dodgers on a monstrous four-year, $240 million contract. Losing both Bregman and Tucker in the same window? That's a lot of production to replace.
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But the front office hasn't been totally dormant. They just made a splash by officially introducing Tatsuya Imai, the Japanese star pitcher, at Daikin Park. This is a huge move. Imai brings a nasty arsenal that could stabilize a rotation that looked shaky toward the end of last year.
Here is how the "score" looks for the 2026 roster changes so far:
- Losing: Alex Bregman (3B), Kyle Tucker (RF), Victor Caratini (C - signed with Minnesota), and Framber Valdez (SP - signed with the Orioles).
- Gaining: Tatsuya Imai (SP), Mike Burrows (RHP), and Christian Walker (1B - technically a 2025 arrival, but looking for a massive bounce-back after a 0.2 WAR season).
What Most People Get Wrong About the Current Score
Usually, when people ask "what is the score for the astros," they are looking for a quick fix of dopamine. But in January, the real score is the Health Report.
The 2025 season fell apart because the pitching staff was basically a walking infirmary. Looking ahead to 2026, the "score" on the medical front is actually looking up. Hunter Brown is coming off a monster year (2.43 ERA, 206 strikeouts) and is positioned as the undisputed ace. Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier are expected to be fully integrated back into the rotation after their long recovery roads.
There’s even talk from manager Joe Espada about moving to a six-man rotation to start the 2026 season. It’s a smart play. You’ve got Arrighetti, Imai, Brown, Javier, Garcia, and maybe even a veteran like McCullers if his arm holds up.
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What to Expect Next
Since there isn't a live score to check, what should you actually be watching?
The MLB Arbitration deadline just passed, and Houston managed to settle with most of their key guys. Bryan Abreu locked in $5.85 million, and Hunter Brown got a well-deserved $5.71 million. This means the locker room drama is at a minimum heading into February.
The next time you'll actually need to check "what is the score for the astros" for a live game is February 21 at 1:05 PM ET.
Until then, the "score" is really just about whether the team can find a way to replace the 50+ home runs they just lost to the National League. It’s going to be a different kind of Houston team—younger, maybe a bit more reliant on pitching and defense than the "Bash Brothers" era we’ve grown used to.
Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Fan
Instead of refreshing a scoreboard that isn't moving, here is how you can actually prepare for the 2026 season:
- Mark the Calendar: February 21 is the start of Spring Training. That’s your first real box score.
- Watch the Prospect Rankings: Keep an eye on Brice Matthews. With Bregman gone, the path for a young infielder to make a name for himself is wide open.
- Check the Caravan Schedule: The Astros Caravan is hitting the road this month. They’ll be at UTSA on January 23. If you're in the area, it's a better way to connect with the team than staring at a 0-0 offseason ticker.
- Audit the Rotation: If the six-man rotation happens, it changes how you manage a fantasy roster or even just how you plan your trips to Daikin Park. More starters means more rested arms, but it also means a shorter bullpen.
The 2025 "score" was a disappointment. The 2026 "score" is currently a blank slate. Honestly, that's the beauty of January—everybody is still in first place.