The debut of Juan Soto in pinstripes and a new leader in Houston, where Joe Espada takes over at manager for the retired Dusty Baker, highlights the latest chapter in the rivalry between the Yankees and Astros, a pair of American League heavyweights who willThe Yankees acquired Soto from the Padres in a blockbuster deal at the Winter Meetings in December and will slot him second in the lineup ahead of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
A three-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger, Soto is coming off a 2023 season in which he batted .275/.410/.519 (158 OPS+) in 162 games for San Diego.
He hit 35 homers, 32 doubles, a triple and had 109 RBIs. open the 2024 season Thursday at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros also added a big name from San Diego, signing five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader in January to give them one of the best bullpens in baseball.
Houston has one of the baseball’s deepest lineups, anchored by Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, but has four starting pitchers opening the season on the injured list.
The Yankees went 82-80 last year and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, though they extended their streak of consecutive seasons with a winning record to 30 (since 1993).
The Astros have won six consecutive AL West titles competed in full seasons and are looking for their eighth consecutive trip to the ALCS. Last year, the Astros lost in seven games in the ALCS to the Rangers, dropping all four games at Minute Maid Park.
Thursday at 3:10 p.m. CT/4:10 p.m. ET (watch live FREE on MLB.TV — it’s the Free Game of the Day). The Astros broadcast will be on Space City Home Network. The Yankees broadcast will be on YES.
