Astros Release 2013 Schedule

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Astros have announced their regular season schedule for the historic 2013 season, which will be their first as an American League club.

The move from the National League to the American League, which was a mandatory requirement of Major League Baseball, is the first of its kind in history. The Milwaukee Brewers moved from the AL to the NL in 1998, but no club has ever moved from the NL to the AL.  As a result of the move, every team in baseball will visit Houston in a span of two seasons (2012-13). Also, both leagues will now be balanced with 15 teams in each.

“We’re extremely excited about the 2013 schedule,” said Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane. “We think our fans will enjoy seeing many of the new teams and players that will be coming to our ballpark next season. This is an exciting time for the Astros organization. We’re confident that we’re moving in the right direction, both on and off the field. Our plan is in place.”

Under Crane, the Astros have emphasized the importance of building a strong minor league system as being the best route to sustained success at the Major League level. In 2012, the Astros had, by far, the most improved farm system in all of baseball.

The Astros will begin the 2013 season in exciting fashion, hosting the interstate rival Texas Rangers in the inaugural American League Lone Star Series at Minute Maid Park for the Home Opener on Tuesday, April 2, in the first of a three-game series. This will be the first time that the Astros have opened a season vs. the Rangers, who they will host for 10 games overall in 2013. The Rangers return for a three-game, weekend series, May 10-12, and for a four-game set, August 9-12. 

During the first homestand in May, the Astros will also host the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who feature many of the top stars in baseball. The Tigers, who have one of the most potent offensive duos in Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, will visit Minute Maid Park for four games, May 2-5. The Angels, with old nemesis Albert Pujols and rookie sensation Mike Trout, will be in Houston for three games, May 7-9. The two-time defending AL champion Rangers will wrap up the homestand with a three-game set on the weekend of May 10-12.

In June, the Baltimore Orioles (6/4-6) and Chicago White Sox (6/14-17), two clubs that have been in playoff contention for most of this season, will visit the Astros.

Interleague Play will mark the return of three familiar opponents. The Milwaukee Brewers will return to Minute Maid Park for three games, June 18-20, and will be followed by the St. Louis Cardinals, who will be in Houston for two games, June 25-26. Later in the season, the Astros will host the Cincinnati Reds for three games, September 16-18.

The Angels return to Houston for a three-game, weekend series, July 28-30 and also visit one last time for three games, September 13-15.  The first homestand in August should prove to be a popular one for fans as the Boston Red Sox will visit Minute Maid Park for three games, August 5-7, and will be followed by the Rangers, who will be in town for a four-game, Thursday-Monday series, August 9-12.

The Astros will wrap up the regular season home schedule with a bang, hosting the New York Yankees in the final weekend of the season, September 27-29.

2013 Season Tickets are on-sale now at www.astros.com or by calling the Astros ticket sales office at 1-800-Astros2. As always, the Astros 2013 schedule will be filled with several promotional dates and popular giveaway items. Please note that information pertaining to the on-sale dates for 2013 Astros individual tickets will be announced at a later date.

Game start times will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Schedule and times are all subject to change by Major League Baseball.