The Houston Astros are looking to shake off a slow start as they head into a tough series against the red-hot San Diego Padres, who currently own the best record in baseball at 15-4. At 8-10, the Astros are sitting at the bottom of the American League West, a surprising spot for a team with this much talent and recent playoff pedigree. But with plenty of season left to play, 164 games remaining heading into this series, there’s still more than enough time to climb back into the mix.
The good news? We’ve already seen flashes of what this offense can do. Just last week, the Astros dropped 14 runs on the Angels, proving that they are capable of erupting at any moment. They’ll need that same energy against a Padres team firing on all cylinders right now, but if the Astros can heat up early, this could be the momentum-shifting series they’ve been waiting for.
When do the Astros play the Padres? The series kicks off on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 7:10 p.m. CDT, followed by a Saturday game on April 19 at 6:10 p.m. CDT, and concluding on Sunday, April 20 at 6:10 p.m. CDT. Fans can catch the action on various platforms, including Space City Home Network, FS1, and ESPN.
For Astros fans living in Houston, the Friday and Saturday night games will air on Space City Home Network, which is a regional sports station available for streaming on fubo and DIRECTV STREAM. The pricing for these services is as follows: fuboTV costs $64.99 for the first month and then $84.99/month with a 7-day free trial, while DIRECTV STREAM costs $86.99/month for three months, then $114.99/month.
If you’re outside Houston, you can tune into the Friday night game on MLB.TV, Saturday’s game on FS1, and Sunday’s game on ESPN. A convenient way to watch all three games is by signing up for Sling TV and adding MLB.TV for $29.99/month. Sling TV Orange + Blue costs either $45.99 or $60.99/month, with half off your first month; adding MLB.TV can save you $30.
As the series began, the Astros faced a significant challenge. They were up against a Padres team led by stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., who has been a key player for San Diego, contributing six home runs and 14 RBIs while boasting a .348 batting average. Tatis has been a driving force behind the Padres' success, which has seen them win 15 of their last 19 games with a combination of speed and power.
Astros manager Joe Espada acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, "We can’t give those guys too many opportunities. We can’t make mistakes in the zone. We’ve got to execute. And we’re going to be facing some pretty good pitching. So when we get our pitches to hit, we’d better execute." This sentiment underscores the importance of the upcoming games for the Astros, who need to find their rhythm quickly.
Adding an emotional layer to this series is the return of Martín Maldonado, the veteran catcher who spent significant time with the Astros and was a key figure during their championship run. Maldonado expressed his excitement about returning to Houston, saying, "I have great memories here and (it’s) a great fan base. I think everything I did here was a highlight of my career, so always nice to come back."
Maldonado's return is particularly poignant as he faces a team that has undergone considerable changes since his departure. Only four of the nine hitters who started for the Astros in the 2023 American League Championship Series remain with the team. The offseason saw significant roster shifts, with notable players like Kyle Tucker traded to the Cubs and Alex Bregman signing with the Red Sox.
Despite these changes, the Astros still boast talent. José Altuve leads the team with a .311 batting average and three home runs, while Jeremy Peña has also shown promise with three home runs. The Astros have a potent offense, and their recent performance against the Angels is a testament to that capability.
On the pitching front, the Padres have been dominant, with the lowest opponents’ batting average (.191) and the second-lowest ERA (2.56) in the majors. This creates a daunting task for the Astros as they aim to capitalize on their offensive potential against tough pitching.
As the series progresses, the Astros will need to find consistency and leverage their home-field advantage at Daikin Park. With the stakes high and the pressure mounting, fans are eager to see if the Astros can turn their season around against one of the league's best teams.
With the series opener already in the books, the anticipation builds for the remaining games. The Astros are looking to shift their fortunes and make a statement against the Padres, who are in the midst of an impressive run. The next two games will be crucial in determining if the Astros can reclaim their spot in the playoff race.
As we await the outcomes of the upcoming games, one thing is clear: the excitement of Major League Baseball is in full swing, and both teams have everything to play for. Will the Astros find their footing, or will the Padres continue their dominant start? Fans will be glued to their screens as the drama unfolds over the weekend.
