The Astros will host the Cleveland Indians in Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division Series here at Minute Maid Park this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5-6. Friday's Game 1 will begin at 1:05 p.m. CT in a battle of former Cy Young Award winners, as Astros RHP Justin Verlander takes the mound against Indians RHP Corey Kluber. Saturday's Game 2 will begin at 3:37 p.m. CT with Astros RHP Gerrit Cole facing off against Cleveland RHP Carlos Carrasco. The Astros are making their third playoff appearance in the past four years in the best-of-five AL Division Series. The Astros took the season series from the Indians, 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 Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Crawford Street. Fans can enjoy live music by The Emotions (Friday) and The Slags (Saturday), photo opportunities, face painters, caricaturists, food trucks, inflatables, bar games, photo booths, poster-making stations and much more before the Astros take on the Cleveland Indians. 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 Friday, all gates will open at 10:00 a.m. On Saturday, all gates will open at 12:30 p.m.
The roof of Minute Maid Park will be closed for both Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS.
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 Friday, all fans will receive an Astros Postseason Rally Towel presented by Houston Methodist. Prior to Game 2 on Saturday, all fans will receive an Astros Postseason Pom Pom.
During a special pregame ceremony on Friday, the Astros will honor the exceptional young athletes of the Astros RBI Softball Championship team and the Post Oak Little League World Series team. Members of both teams will help unveil a "Never Settle" banner that will cover the infield, as Astros Season Ticket Holders present a giant U.S. flag in the outfield. A Joint-Service Color Guard will present our nation's colors before Houston native and leading cast member in the upcoming Phantom of the Opera production at to the Hobby Center Jordan Craig performs Friday's National Anthem. Craig, who will also perform God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch, is a graduate of St. Thomas High School here in Houston. Astros legend and Cy Young winner Mike Scott will throw out Friday's ceremonial first pitch and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will call "Play Ball!" to kick off Friday's postseason matchup.
Saturday's pregame will also feature several special guests. The Harris County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard will present our nation's colors prior to Houston native Kaylise Irizarry performing the National Anthem. Additionally, Betsy Sanders from Second Baptist Church will perform God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch. Astros legend Roy Oswalt will return to the mound at Minute Maid Park to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Saturday and Judge Ed Emmett will call "Play Ball!" before the Astros take on the Indians 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, Thursday, 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
TBS is slated to exclusively televise ALDS Game 1 between the Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians on Friday, October 5 at 1:05 p.m. CT, with Don Orsillo and Dennis Eckersley on the call and Hazel Mae reporting from the sidelines. Astros vs. Indians ALDS Game 2 will air exclusively on TBS beginning at 3:37 p.m. CT.
Fans can catch both games on the radio on the Astros flagship radio stations 790 KBME AM and in Spanish on La Ranchera 850 AM/101.7 FM, as well as on ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes 1230 AM.
MEDIA INFORMATION
Please carefully review the attached 2018 ALDS Media Info Sheet for details regarding credentials, parking, press box seating, clubhouse policies and access throughout the series. Per MLB, violations of media rules and restrictions can result in postseason credentials being revoked. 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 by wearing orange clothing and accessories, rocking their Astros apparel, decking out their buildings in orange and creatively displaying their Astros pride throughout the Astros' postseason run. Astros fans are encouraged to post photos of what they are doing to Orange Out Houston with the hashtag #NeverSettle.
ALDS POSTSEASON WATCH PARTIES PRESENTED BY CHEVY
Fans are invited to watch Astros Postseason away games at Minute Maid Park, free of charge, during the Astros ALDS Postseason Watch Parties presented by Chevy. Fans will need to claim a free Postseason Watch Party voucher for entry at www.astros.com/postseason or at the Minute Maid Park Box Office the day of the event. Parking will be available for purchase in all Astros-controlled parking lots.
Prior to each away game, the fun will begin two hours before first pitch with a Postseason Street Fest on Crawford Street, where fans can enjoy live music, food trucks, bar games, inflatables and much more. The game will stream live on the main video board inside Minute Maid Park as well as on large projection screens outside the ballpark.
-ASTROS-