Astros Host Boston Red Sox for Games 1 and 2 of ALDS, Starting Tomorrow

The Astros will host the Boston Red Sox in Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division Series here at Minute Maid Park this Thursday and Friday, Oct. 5-6. Thursday's Game 1 will begin at 3:08 p.m. CT as Astros RHP Justin Verlander takes the mound against Red Sox LHP Chris Sale. Friday's Game 2 will begin at 1:05 p.m. CT with Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel facing off against Boston LHP Drew Pomeranz. The Astros are making their second playoff appearance in the past three years in the best-of-five AL Division Series. The Astros took the season series from the Red Sox, going 4-3 in their seven meetings.
ASTROS POSTSEASON STREET FESTS, GATE TIMES AND ROOF STATUS
Astros fans of all ages are invited to a Postseason Street Fest prior to each Astros Postseason home game! The Postseason Street Fest takes place on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Crawford Street. Fans can enjoy live music, food trucks, inflatables, bar games, photo booths, poster-making stations and much more before the Astros take on the Boston Red Sox. Fans can access the Astros Postseason Street Fest via the Atrium, Left Field Gate and Center Field Gate. A valid game ticket is required for entry.
On Thursday, all gates will open at 1:00 p.m. On Friday, all gates will open at 11:00 a.m.
The roof of Minute Maid Park will be closed for both Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS.
Astros fans with small children should note that Squeeze Play will not be available during the Astros postseason run.
POSTSEASON GATE GIVEAWAYS AND PREGAME CEREMONIES
All fans in attendance at Astros ALDS Games 1 and 2 will receive a special postseason gate giveaway. Prior to Game 1 on Thursday, all fans will receive an Astros Postseason Rally Towel presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. Prior to Game 2 on Friday, all fans will receive an Astros Postseason Fan Clapper presented by Houston Methodist.
During a special pregame ceremony on Thursday, the Astros will honor the brave individuals who selflessly came to the aid of those in need during Hurricane Harvey. Astros Season Ticket Holders will join the Astros staff members who secured Minute Maid Park during the storm to present a giant U.S. flag as well as a Texas flag on the field. Members of the Cajun Navy, escorted by an HPD motorcade,  will line the warning track as a tribute to the countless rescue missions they performed during Hurricane Harvey. They will also present a Houston Strong flag that will fly over Minute Maid Park for the remainder of the Postseason. Astros favorite Clay Walker will perform the National Anthem as military members and first responders line the base paths with Astros and Red Sox players. Additionally, Challenger the Eagle will take flight during the National Anthem. Local philanthropist and business owner Mattress Mack will throw out Thursday's ceremonial first pitch and County Judge Ed Emmett will call "Play Ball!" to kick off Thursday's postseason matchup. Clay Walker will return to the field to sing God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch.
Friday's pregame will also feature several special guests. Country music star Neal McCoy will perform the National Anthem as well as God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will return to the mound at Minute Maid Park to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Friday. Mayor Turner was instrumental in bringing the Astros back to Houston following Hurricane Harvey in early September, when he also threw out a ceremonial first pitch. Houston rapper Bun B will call "Play Ball!" before the Astros take on the Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALDS.
TICKETS
All fans must either have their printed tickets in hand or utilize the MLB.com Ballpark App on their mobile devices to access Minute Maid Park and the Astros Postseason Street Fest for all Astros Postseason games. PDFs, screenshots or any photos of tickets on a mobile device will NOT be accepted, and the Astros will not be able to print tickets on-site. Additionally, there is a no re-entry policy during the postseason.
TRAVELING TO THE BALLPARK
The Astros encourage fans to give themselves extra time to travel to the ballpark as there will be several road and lane closures surrounding Minute Maid Park, which will remain in effect starting today, Wednesday, Oct. 4 through the end of the Astros postseason run. Astros fans and media should heed all directional signage indicating altered routes around downtown and surrounding the ballpark. Additionally, parking around Minute Maid Park will be limited. Directional signage around the ballpark will also advise fans of postseason entrances, which may vary slightly from the regular season.
The Uber pickup and dropoff area in center field will be available for fans to utilize throughout the postseason. Metro also provides a fast and easy alternative for getting to and from the ballpark. For more information, please visit www.ridemetro.org.
ASTROS ON TV AND RADIO
MLB Network is slated to televise ALDS Game 1 between the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox on Thursday, October 5 at 3:00 p.m. CT, with Bob Costas, Jim Kaat and Jon Paul Morosi on the call. MLB Network is widely available in the Astros' home TV territory via several video providers including AT&T U-verse, Charter Spectrum, Comcast (XFINITY), Cox, DIRECTV, DIRECTV Now, DISH, Frontier, PlayStation Vue and many more. To make its ALDS game telecasts available to even more viewers, MLB Network has partnered with several of its distributors to expand their existing carriage and provide a free preview of MLB Network from October 4-11 to video customers of AT&T U-verse, Comcast (XFINITY), Cox, DIRECTV, DIRECTV Now, DISH, Fidelity, Frontier, Grande and GVTC. MLB Network's local channel listings are available at www.FindMLBNetwork.com. The complete Postseason schedule is available at www.MLB.com/Postseason.
Astros vs. Boston ALDS Game 2 will air exclusively on FOX beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT.
Fans can catch both games on the radio on the Astros flagship radio station 790 KBME AM, in Spanish on ESPN Deportes 1230 AM or on ESPN radio.
MEDIA INFORMATION
Please carefully review the attached 2017 ALDS Media Info Sheet for details regarding credentials, parking, press box seating, clubhouse policies and access throughout the series. Please contact the Astros Communications staff with any questions.
ORANGE OUT HOUSTON
The Astros are asking local businesses, schools, community leaders, organizations and Astros fans to Orange Out Houston on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 5-6 by wearing orange clothing and accessories, rocking their Astros apparel, decking out their buildings in orange and creatively displaying their Astros pride on Thursday and Friday. The Astros extend a heart-felt thank you to Discovery Green, the George R. Brown Convention Center, Hilton Americas-Houston, Houston City Hall, the Houston Police Department, NASA Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston for joining in the Orange Out Houston effort. Astros fans are encouraged to post photos of what they are doing to Orange Out Houston with the hashtag #EarnHistory for the chance to win exciting prizes including Astros Postseason apparel, promo packs, signed memorabilia and Astros Postseason tickets.
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