Astros Drive for Postseason Continues with Exciting Nine-Game Homestand

HOUSTON, TX - Astros fans will have ample opportunity to join in on the excitement of a highly-contested pennant race during the upcoming nine-game and final homestand of the regular season. This homestand will include key matchups vs. the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Astros currently have the best home record in the AL with a 48-24 (.667) mark.

This homestand, from Sept. 18-27, is the final regular season stand of 2015, where the Astros will first host the Oakland A's in a three-game series this weekend (Friday-Sunday). The Angels will then visit Minute Maid Park for three games, Sept. 21-23. The homestand will wrap up in grand fashion with the finale of the Lone Star Series as the rival Texas Rangers will be in town for what should be three critical games, Sept. 25-27. The Astros-Rangers game scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, will be broadcast nationally on FOX due to potential playoff ramifications. As a result, the start time has been moved to 12:05 p.m. CT. 

The "Season of the #Whiff" campaign, in partnership with the Astros, MLB and Head & Shoulders, continues to raise money for local RBI programs through Twitter. The team with the most #Whiff tweets, including retweets, will earn a donation for their location RBI league, and the top monthly winner will earn a $10,000 donation. Fans can participate and help raise money for the Astros RBI program by including #Whiff and @Astros in their tweets or retweets, with a 27 tweet limit per day per Twitter handle. The Astros placed third in August and have raised $29,000 for Astros RBI to date.

Friday, Sept. 18 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Oakland

Friday is Astros Meet & Tweet Social Media Night. Tickets are $35 and include a Bullpen Box seat as well as an exclusive #SocialStros emoji T-shirt. There will be games, prizes and lots of selfie opportunities. Special guests will include ROOT SPORTS field reporter Julia Morales, Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan, Astros radio broadcaster Steve Sparks and Astros mascot Orbit. Guest appearances are subject to change and there will not be an opportunity for autographs. For more information, please visit www.astros.com/socialmedia.

Big and Bright Friday Night returns with a postgame fireworks display, presented by Marathon Oil Corporation. This week's fireworks show will feature a "karaoke classics" theme.

The United States Air Force is celebrating its 68th birthday on Friday, which the Astros will honor with a pregame ceremony featuring members of the 147th Reconnaissance Wing of the Texas Air National Guard from Ellington Field.

Friday kicks off AT&T's Welcome Home Weekend, where AT&T will host members of the Wounded Warrior Project for Friday's game vs. Oakland. Prior to Saturday's game, a member of the military will throw out a ceremonial first pitch and 40 members representing all branches of the armed forces will participate in a ceremonial flag presentation. A special pregame ceremony will take place prior to Sunday's game, as well.

Friday night is also Happy Hour at Minute Maid Park, featuring $5.25 specials at the Saint Arnold Bar in left field and Day Fresh Budweiser at the Budweiser Patio from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Z Tequila is also offering $6 specials for their Classic Lime and Prickly Pear Margaritas, located in the FiveSeven Grille, all game long.

Saturday, Sept. 19 - 6:10 p.m. vs. Oakland

Fans are encouraged to grab their boots, belt buckles and cowboy hats and head out to Minute Maid Park for Boot Scootin' BBQ, which will be on Saturday from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Crawford Street (between Texas Ave. and Congress St.). This Texas-sized bash will feature "tons of barbecue," two-stepping dance performances and live music from Aaron Copeland. Fans must have a valid ticket to the Athletics vs. Astros game on 9/19 in order to enter Boot Scootin' BBQ.

Also on Saturday, 10,000 fans will also receive a bobblehead of popular Astros slugger Evan Gattis, presented by AT&T.

Sunday, Sept. 20 - 1:10 p.m. vs. Oakland

Bring the whole family out to Minute Maid Park this Sunday with a Kroger Family 4-Pack. The options include four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a Lot C Parking Pass. This Sunday is also Kroger Family Sunday. Kids ages 5-14 can run the bases and Astros Buddies get front-of-the-line access. For Kroger Family 4-Pack or Kroger Family Sunday tickets, please visit www.astros.com/family or by calling 1-877-9ASTROS.

UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS

The remainder of the homestand features several exciting events, including the Hispanic Heritage celebration on Saturday, Sept. 26. The celebration, which has been rescheduled for 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. due to the now nationally televised Astros vs. Rangers game on FOX at 12:05 p.m. CT, will take place both on the Plaza on Crawford Street and inside the ballpark. Fans with a game ticket for that day's game can enjoy live Latin music, traditional Spanish dancers, local food trucks and games and activities for all ages. During the game, the Astros will wear their "Los Astros" jerseys and public address announcements will be made in both English and Spanish.

Sunday, Sept. 27 is Fan Appreciation Day at Minute Maid Park. The annual event features a 2015 team poster giveaway, which includes a 2016 team schedule, for 10,000 fans as well as special fan prizes which will be given away during each half-inning break. Sunday's game will also be broadcast nationally on TBS.

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