Astros vs. Blue Jays Game Discussion: 8/4/2026

· Yahoo Sports

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 29: Hayden Wesneski #39 of the Houston Astros pitches for the first time after coming back from surgery in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 29, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Houston Astros (58-56), who had their six-game winning streak snapped last night, will look to begin a new streak tonight in the middle game of their three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays (53-60).

RHP Hayden Wesneski (1-0, 4.76 ERA) will make his second Major league start of the season in his return from Tommy John surgery, this time opposite RHP Trey Yesavage (5-5, 3.73 ERA) and the Blue Jays.

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BIG WES: After missing 14 months with injury, RHP Hayden Wesneski made his return to a big league mound his last time out, on July 29 at LAA (3ER/5.2IP), earning the win over the Angels. This solid start continued a strong run for Wesneski, who was great in his rehab appearances, posting a 2.25 (5ER/20IP) combined ERA in five minor league rehab starts.

WINNING WAYS: Even with last night’s loss, the Astros have won 11 of their last 13 games. The Astros are two games over .500, and lead the AL West by 2.5 games over the Rangers and Mariners, who both enter tonight with identical 55-58 records.

THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 38-25 since May 22, which is the second-best record in the AL in that span. On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.

Winning Percentage since May 22, AL

1. Red Sox 38-24 (.613)

2. Astros 38-25 (.603)

3. Tigers 34-27 (.557)

THAT’S OFFENSIVE: The Astros rank second in the AL in home runs (155) and third in runs scored (529), just behind the Twins (532) and White Sox (531). Also among AL clubs, the Astros rank first in slugging (.416) and in OPS (.737), and second in batting average (.246), OBP (.321) and hits (946).

YESTERDAY’S MOVES: The Astros made one trade yesterday, acquiring OF Daulton Varsho and cash from the Blue Jays in exchange for RHP Spencer Arrighetti. The Astros activated Varsho last night and optioned OF Lucas Spence to Triple A.

JULY HONORS: Announced yesterday, DH Yordan Alvarez was named the AL Player of the Month for July. This marks the fourth career AL Player of the Month Award for Alvarez and his second in 2026. In July, Alvarez hit .360 (31×86) with nine HR, 22 RBI, a .467 OBP, a .721 SLG, and a 1.188 OPS in 23 games.

MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez leads the AL in all three Triple Crown categories, ranking first in batting average (.330), HR (35), and RBI (84). Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.091), OBP (.443), SLG (.648), extra-base hits (59), and TB (263). In the AL, he ranks first in hits (134) and runs (77), and tied for second in walks (79).

HEAVY TRAFFIC: DH Yordan Alvarez has reached base safely in 19 straight games (since July 10), batting .433 (29×67) with 15 runs, eight doubles, six home runs, 17 RBI, 20 walks, a .568 OBP and a 1.389 OPS during the streak. Alvarez also has on-base streaks of 25 games (May 22-June 19) and 22 games (April 4-28) this season.

GOOD INTENTIONS: DH Yordan Alvarez has been intentionally walked 23 times this season, by far the most in the Majors. Alvarez’s 23 intentional walks are the third-highest total in a single season by an Astros player in club history, trailing only seasons produced by 1B Jeff Bagwell (27 IBB in 1997) and OF Rusty Staub (24 IBB in 1968).

STREAKING: SS Jeremy Peña is on a career-high 15-game hitting streak, in which he’s hit .422 (27×64) with three doubles, one triple, seven homers, 15 RBI and a 1.292 OPS. Peña’s streak is the longest active streak in the Majors, and is the longest streak by an Astro since 3B Alex Bregman had a 16-game streak from May 28-June 15, 2024.

WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader, who is 15-for-15 in save chances with a 1.17 ERA, recorded his 77th career save as an Astro on Saturday, moving him past RHP Fred Gladding (76) for fifth place in saves all-time among Astros relievers. He now trails RHP Ryan Pressly (111) for fourth on that all-time list.

STALKING 500: RHP Bryan Abreu has 499 career strikeouts, needing just one strikeout to reach 500 for his career. He would become just the fourth reliever in franchise history to record 500 strikeouts with the club, joining LHP Billy Wagner (694), RHP Brad Lidge (557) and RHP Dave Smith (529).

MINOR LEAGUE HONORS: Earlier today, IF Waner Luciano and RHP Bryce Mayer were named the Astros minor league Player and Pitcher of the Month for July. Luciano, 21, hit .316 (24×76) with 20 RBI, nine stolen bases and a 1.021 OPS in 22 games in July with Class A Fayetteville. Mayer, 24, the Astros top pitching prospect, went 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA (1ER/19IP) in July with Double A Corpus Christi.

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1991 – The Astros turn their eighth triple play in franchise history in a 2-1 walk-off win in 10 innings vs. the Dodgers. LHP Jim Deshaies is the beneficiary after inducing a foul pop up to SS Alfredo Griffin. Two Dodgers are thrown out advancing on the play to end the 5th inning. Houston wins on a walk-off single by C Craig Biggio in the 10th.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Tuesday, August 4, 7:10 p.m. CT

Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: SCHN, SCHN 2

Radio: KTRH 740 AM; KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

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