It is mid-January, the air in Houston is finally a bit crisp, and if you are looking for a live Houston Astros score, you're going to be staring at a blank scoreboard for a while. We are currently in that weird, quiet limbo of the MLB calendar.
The 2025 season is in the rearview mirror. Spring training hasn't started.
Basically, the "score" right now isn't measured in runs or hits, but in million-dollar international signings and the sound of trade rumors swirling around Daikin Park. Honestly, it’s a bit of a transition period for a team that spent nearly a decade as the undisputed kings of the American League West.
Last year was... different. For the first time since 2016, the Astros didn't just lose the division; they missed the playoffs entirely. They finished with an 87-75 record, tied with the Detroit Tigers, but lost the tiebreaker. No October baseball in Houston felt wrong. It felt quiet.
The Current State of the Houston Astros Score
Since there are no games today, January 15, 2026, the real "score" is happening in the front office. Today is actually a massive day for the franchise's future. It's the opening of the international free agency signing period.
While you can't check a box score, the Astros just "put points on the board" by signing eight international prospects. The big name is Albert Fermin, a switch-hitting shortstop from the Dominican Republic. They dropped a cool $2.3 million bonus on him.
Recent Major Moves (The Offseason Scoreboard)
- Tatsuya Imai: The Astros won the sweepstakes for this Japanese ace on New Year's Day. It’s a three-year deal that completely changes the look of the 2026 rotation.
- The Infield Shuffle: Alex Bregman is gone (signed with the Cubs), and the "score" on how they replace him is still undecided. Right now, it looks like a mix of Isaac Paredes and maybe some internal options.
- International Signings: Along with Fermin, they signed Randy Arias ($1.4 million) and Jack Daniel Valbrune ($375k), a power-hitting outfielder from Cuba.
Why the 2025 Houston Astros Score Still Hurts
If you're wondering why everyone is so obsessed with the "score" this winter, you have to look at how last season collapsed. On July 6, 2025, the Astros had a seven-game lead in the West. They were 55-35. They looked like the juggernaut we’ve known for years.
Then the wheels fell off.
They went 32-40 down the stretch. They mismanaged the bullpen. They had a weird logjam in the infield. By the time September 27 rolled around, they were officially eliminated. Watching the Cleveland Guardians knock out the Texas Rangers—which in turn ended Houston's season—was a bitter pill for fans used to deep ALCS runs.
The final Houston Astros score for the 2025 season was a 2nd place finish in the AL West. It ended a streak of seven straight ALCS appearances. That’s a lot of history to move on from.
When Will We See a Real Score Again?
We don't have to wait much longer. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to West Palm Beach on February 11. The first actual Houston Astros score of 2026 will come on Saturday, February 21.
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That's the Grapefruit League opener against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
- February 11: Pitchers and Catchers report.
- February 16: Full squad workouts begin.
- February 21: Spring Training opener vs. Nationals (6:05 PM EST).
- March 26: Opening Day at Daikin Park vs. the L.A. Angels.
What to Watch for in the 2026 Box Scores
When the games finally start, the box scores are going to look weird. You won't see Kyle Tucker (traded to the Cubs last year). You won't see Bregman.
Instead, you're looking for how Tatsuya Imai adjusts to MLB hitters. You're looking to see if Jose Altuve, at 35 years old, can keep up the pace after a .265 season with 26 homers. You're looking at Jeremy Peña and whether he can be the undisputed leader of that infield.
Expert analysts, like those over at Baseball America and The Athletic, are split on this team. Some think the addition of Imai and a full year of a healthy rotation (Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia, Bryan Abreu) puts them right back at 90+ wins. Others worry that the "Golden Era" is officially over and the 87 wins we saw last year is the new ceiling.
Honestly? It's the Astros. You can never count them out, but the margin for error is thinner than it's been in a decade.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Update Your Apps: Make sure your MLB app is set to 2026 mode so you get the spring training alerts next month.
- Watch the International Market: Keep an eye on those international signings today; guys like Albert Fermin are the reason this team stayed relevant for so long.
- Check the Schedule: If you’re planning to head to Daikin Park, Opening Day tickets against the Angels on March 26 are already hovering around $78 on the secondary market.
The "score" right now is 0-0. But in Houston, the pressure to change that is already at a boiling point.