ASTROS-ROCKIES PREVIEW

Astros eye crucial wins in Rockies showdown to close gap on .500

Astros Hunter Brown
Hunter Brown takes the mound for Houston on Tuesday night. Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images.

Colorado Rockies (27-51, fifth in the NL West) vs. Houston Astros (38-40, second in the AL West)

Houston; Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Austin Gomber (1-4, 4.36 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 52 strikeouts); Astros: Hunter Brown (4-5, 4.72 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 82 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -263, Rockies +215; over/under is 8 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros take on the Colorado Rockies after Alex Bregman had four hits against the Orioles on Sunday.

Houston is 22-19 at home and 38-40 overall. The Astros have the fourth-best team slugging percentage in the majors at .423.

Colorado is 27-51 overall and 11-27 on the road. The Rockies have the eighth-ranked team slugging percentage in the NL at .397.

The matchup Tuesday is the third meeting between these teams this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jose Altuve has a .299 batting average to lead the Astros, and has 16 doubles and 12 home runs. Bregman is 16-for-42 with two RBI over the past 10 games.

Ryan McMahon ranks second on the Rockies with 31 extra base hits (17 doubles and 14 home runs). Hunter Goodman is 9-for-37 with a double, five home runs and 10 RBI over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 7-3, .284 batting average, 3.78 ERA, outscored opponents by 14 runs

Rockies: 3-7, .277 batting average, 6.60 ERA, outscored by 10 runs

INJURIES: Astros: Jake Bloss: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Victor Caratini: 10-Day IL (hip), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (neck), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Kyle Tucker: 10-Day IL (shin), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Rockies: Charlie Blackmon: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Adael Amador: 10-Day IL (oblique), Josh Rogers: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Elias Diaz: 10-Day IL (calf), Kris Bryant: 10-Day IL (rib), Jordan Beck: 10-Day IL (wrist), Lucas Gilbreath: 60-Day IL (elbow), Daniel Bard: 60-Day IL (knee), German Marquez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Antonio Senzatela: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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Luv ya Blue running wild. Photo courtesy of Houston Athletics.

University of Houston Athletics are in a “Luv ya blue” mood and they don’t care who knows it — not even the NFL.

The university has announced that its football and volleyball teams will wear new Houston Blue jerseys, reminiscent of the classic colors of the Houston Oilers era. The volleyball team's uniform will debut theirs starting November 9 against Texas Tech, while the football team will debut theirs against Baylor on November 23. At the latter event, the first 20,000 fans will receive commemorative Houston Blue rally towels.

The resemblance of the new colors to the Oilers brand was not lost on the NFL. When UH Athletics started incorporating Houston Blue into their uniforms in September 2023, the NFL sent a cease-and-desist letter claiming the uniforms were an attempt to leech off the legacy of the Oilers and the intellectual property of the team now known as the Tennessee Titans. As if to prove the point, the Titans have occasionally worn Columbia blue throwback uniforms at certain games.

UH is unbothered according to vice president for intercollegiate athletics Eddie Nuñez.

“As a university deeply connected to the fabric of Houston, incorporating ‘Houston Blue’ into our uniforms is a powerful way to celebrate the city’s rich history,” he said. “From iconic blue street markers to the Houston Police Department’s signature blue police cars and helicopters, this color holds a special place in the hearts of Houstonians. We’re thrilled to share this tradition with our fans and offer them the chance to show their pride through exclusive merchandise, making it an exciting time for Cougar Nation to rally together.”

The accompanying press release for the uniforms came with a helpful history lesson showing that the Oilers adopted a color widely associated with Houston, not the other way around. The city has incorporated blue into public infrastructure, from street curbs to city vehicles, since the 1920s. The Oilers weren’t even the first Houston team to use blue in their uniforms. That honor belongs to the minor league baseball team, the Houston Buffs.

UH will be offering a wide range of merchandise to sell in the new Houston Blue colors in person and online through the University of Houston Bookstore as well as at select local retailers. These include shirts, hats, polos, jerseys, and hoodies. Get them before the NFL sends a more strongly-worded letter.

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Fans of Houston sports and Houston food can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11 at 8th Wonder. Tickets are $75 for VIP and $50 for General Admission. For a limited time, we’re giving you $10 off; use code SPORTSMAP at checkout. Get your tickets now!

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