The big homestand for your World Champion Astros continues this weekend with probably the two most important giveaways of the season: the replica trophy on Friday and the replica ring on Saturday. If you haven’t made it to the initial home games this season you can start planning to attend this weekend and score some sweet memorabilia.

If you plan on finding your way out to the games this weekend you should take my advice and get to a parking lot early for tailgating. My friends and I showed up at 2 p.m. for a 7 o’clock game on Tuesday for an afternoon of fun. We got a corner spot at Franklin and Chenevert, set up a canopy, lowered the tailgates and set up the cornhole boards. We drank beer for about four hours before heading in for pre-game ceremonies. Because of that we didn’t have to buy more than one $13 beer.

I had a great time in the middle of the week with a non-capacity crowd at fever pitch. Every Astros hit was an eruption that rocked the building. I can only imagine what I missed at Monday’s home opener. What I didn’t miss was the ring ceremony before the game. I watched as the Astros showed what a class act they are by giving rings to the organization’s only two Hall of Fame players, Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. It was touching to see the reactions of the players as they accepted the jewelry that serves as an individual trophy for their accomplishment. Saturday, you can get your own versions of what they took home that night. These are the best giveaways so the crowds should be large. Get in line early enough to grab your souvenirs because each one is limited to the first 10.000 fans.

It’s a weekend series with the Padres, so there is potential for a lot of offense from the home team. Everyone loves offense. The weather might not be perfect outside but that’s no reason shun a day downtown enjoying the great amenities of Minute Maid Park, neighboring bars, or your own personal tailgate party.

If you find that you can’t make it out to the Friday or Saturday games, there are other opportunities to get souvenirs related to the World Series. Sunday’s game will give the first 10,000 fans a commemorative poster. Wait a week and you can get a George Springer World Series MVP Bobble head on April 14. Wait three weeks and you can get a Jose Altuve MVP bobble head on April 28.

No matter what you do, now is the time to go to an Astros home game. It’s a long season where anything can happen. Better that you see a game now and take advantage of some great home crowds and free stuff.