2018 - Timeline
from This Date in Astros History

Jan 09 - Astros kick off a 100-city celebration tour by displaying the Worlds Series trophy at the State Capitol in Austin with Gov. Greg Abbott on hand.

Jan 13 - Astros trade Joe Musgrove, Colin Moran, Michael Feliz and a minor leaguer to Pittsburgh for pitcher Gerrit Cole. He is billed as the "third ace" to team with Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel in hopes of defending their Worlds Championship.

Feb 13 - Harris County commissioners agree to spend $105 million to begin renovations for the long-dormant Astrodome. The plan is to elevate the floor to ground level which will be used for parking spaces then convert the remaining structure to be used for festivals and celebrations.

Mar 12 - The 2017 Astros are guests at the White House to celebrate their Worlds Championship. President Donald Trump remarked how the ballclub was better than his Yankees and later received an Astros jersey with his name on the back and the number "17" presented by Josh Reddick.

Mar 16 - Jose Altuve and the Astros agree to a five-year extension to his contract, paying him $151 million for the 2020-2024 seasons, ensuring the popular infielder stays in Houston through his peak playing years. On the field, Lance McCullers leads a two-hit shutout of the Yankees with solo homers by J.D. Davis and Tyler White providing the offense.

Mar 29 - Houston opens their first title defense with a 4-1 win over the Rangers in Arlington. George Springer led off the game with a home run, just as he did the year before. Justin Verlander tossed six shutout innings for the victory. Before the game, a moment of silence was held in memory of former Astros All-Star Rusty Staub who passed away that morning at the age of 73.

May 04 - Gerrit Cole spins a 1-hit complete game shutout at Arizona in interleague play, 8-0, while striking out 16. Chris Owings breaks up the no-hit bid with a clean double in the fifth. Yuli Gurriel paces the offense with four hits while Carlos Correa doubles twice and drives in three. The 21-13 squad is tied with Anaheim for the division lead.

May 07 - George Springer goes 6-for-6, the first Astro in franchise history to accomplish the feat in a nine-inning game, as Houston bombs the Athletics, 16-2. Marwin Gonzalez homers and drives in five. Dallas Keuchel goes eight innings to post just his second win of the year.

Jun 18 - A two-run double by Alex Bregman in the bottom of the ninth stuns the Rays, 5-4, to match Houston's club record for wins at twelve. The Astros would lose the next night, 2-1, to halt the streak. Within the surge, Houston swept a ten-game road trip for the first time and Evan Gattis enjoyed back-to-back five-RBI games in Oakland to set a two-day club record.

Jun 27 - Alex Bregman swats a two-run walk-off homer in the ninth to shock Toronto, 7-6, in an afternoon contest at Minute Maid Park. Bregman added two doubles and, after a four-hit night the previous game, had compiled seven extra-base hits within the span of 24 hours - two homers and five doubles. Evan Gattis drove in three to set the franchise mark for most RBIs in June with 30. Houston leads Seattle by 3-1/2 games in the AL West.

Jul 17 - Tenth-inning solo homers by Alex Bregman and George Springer carry the American League All-Stars to an 8-6 win over the National League. A record ten bombs were hit. Only two Astros had homered in All-Star competition up to this time. Jose Altuve singles for his first All-Star hit. Bregman is awarded the game's M.V.P. award afterwards.

Oct 05 - Houston opens their postseason championship defense with a 7-2 Game 1 victory over the Cleveland Indians as Justin Verlander outduels Corey Kluber. Home runs by Alex Bregman, George Springer, Jose Altuve and Martin Maldonando spark the offense. The Astros would sweep the series with wins of 3-1 and 11-3 to advance to the LCS against Boston.

Oct 13 - Astros open the A.L.C.S. with a 7-2 triumph over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Carlos Correa's RBI single in the sixth breaks a 2-2 tie then homers by Josh Reddick and Yuli Gurriel in the ninth seal the win.

Oct 14 - Boston evens the A.L.C.S with a 7-5 decision over Houston. The Red Sox bullpen protected a lead for 4-1/3rd innings while Jackie Bradley Jr. drives in three to lead the Boston assault.

Oct 16 - Jackie Bradley Jr. belts a grand slam off Roberto Osuna to complete an 8-2 Boston verdict over Houston to take a 2-1 lead in the A.L.C.S. A double by Alex Bregman tied the contest at 2-2 before the bullpen collapse.

Oct 17 - In a see-saw Game 4 of the A.L.C.S., Boston outlasts the Astros, 8-6, for a commanding 3-1 series lead. Controversy erupts when Jackie Bradley Jr.'s glove collides with a fan in the right field seats as he attempts to grab Jose Altuve's fly ball. The umpire ruled it was fan interference, negating a two-run homer. Bradley also stays hot with a two-run blast of his own. George Springer and Tony Kemp take Rick Porcello deep. A final ninth-inning rally fails when Andrew Benintendi makes a diving stab of Alex Bragman's liner with the bases full.

Oct 18 - Boston closes out the A.L.C.S. with a 4-1 Game Five decision at Minute Maid Park. A solo homer by Marwin Gonzalez prevents the shutout. Former Astro J.D. Martinez homered off Justin Verlander then Rafael Devers drilled the deciding three-run shot off Verlander in the sixth. Boston went on to win the World Series over Los Angeles.

Dec 06 - An attempted car robbery turns deadly in Venezuela, costing two former Astros their lives when they are thrown from the vehicle they were passengers in. Dead are infielders Luis Valbuena (33), who played for Houston in 2015-16, and Jose Castillo (37) who played for the Astros in 2008. Four men were arrested with possessions of the players who were returning from a winter league game.