The Astros look to keep the positive momentum going, having won 13 of their last 19 games, as they host two first-place teams in the upcoming homestand. The Astros take on the former NL rival Chicago Cubs in a three-game set beginning tomorrow, Sept. 9 through Sunday, Sept. 11, in what will be the Cubs first visit to Minute Maid Park since 2012. Following that series, Houston faces off against the in-state and AL West division rival Texas Rangers, Monday, Sept. 12 through Wednesday, Sept. 14. This homestand caps off a run of four straight series against first-place opponents, against whom the Astros have gone 3-4. With 22 games remaining in the regular season, the Astros sit 2.5 games back of an AL Wild Card spot.
Both Saturday and Sunday's games vs. the Cubs will be nationally broadcast. Saturday's game will be broadcast on FOX at 12:05 p.m. and Sunday's game will be on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball at 7:05 p.m. Both games will also be broadcast nationally on ESPN Radio.
Come out and support the Astros Foundation by participating in our 50/50 Raffle, Share2Care. Fans can purchase tickets through fixed terminals and mobile devices throughout the ballpark during home games at Minute Maid Park. One lucky fan will win big every time! The one winning ticket will be selected each game with the winner receiving one half of that game's raffle proceeds and the Astros Foundation receiving the other half. The Astros Foundation seeks to harness the passion of baseball fans to support youth baseball and softball programs serving at risk children and teens.
Make sure your little Astros fan is signed up for the Coca-Cola Astros Buddies Club! Being a Coca-Cola Astros Buddies member has many benefits including premium items, exclusive Buddies-only experiences, tickets to an Astros game, newsletters and more. Coca-Cola Astros Buddies memberships are for kids 12 and under. For more information on the Coca-Cola Astros Buddies Club, please visit www.astros.com/buddies.
Friday, September 9 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Chicago Cubs
The Astros Foundation and ROOT Sports will be hosting the first-ever Astros Foundation Charity Game and live broadcast at Minute Maid Park on Friday, Sept. 9 as the Astros face off against the former NL Central rival Chicago Cubs. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and USO Houston. During the game, fans can show their support by purchasing charity bags that include tickets to a 2017 game, autographed merchandise and more. The bags will be available at the game, over the phone and online starting at 6:00 p.m. Links to purchase will be available at www.astros.com/charitygame on Sept. 9. As a part of this inaugural event, ROOT Sports will produce a special one-hour pregame show and feature segments about the beneficiaries. For more information about the Astros Foundation Charity Game and the prizes available in the charity bags, please visit www.astros.com/charitygame.
Big and Bright Friday Night fireworks return postgame, featuring a "honky tonk" musical theme. Fireworks will begin approximately 15 minutes following the conclusion of Friday's game vs. the Cubs.
Continuing this Friday, the Astros Foundation will be raffling off a 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle, donated by Crane Freight Services. Proceeds will benefit the Sunshine Kids Foundation, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance, Ronald McDonald House Houston and the Astros Foundation. Tickets will now be sold during every home game through Sept. 12 on the main concourse behind home plate. Tickets are one (1) for $20 or six (6) for $100. The winner will be drawn after the game on Monday, Sept. 12 vs. the Texas Rangers (winner does not need to be present to win).
The Caswell vs. Zimmern "Battle of the Food" Challenge, located in section 128, kicks off this Friday. Celebrity chefs Bryan Caswell and Andrew Zimmern have cooked up some of their favorite ballpark-inspired dishes, which will be available during this homestand only, Sept. 9-14. The competing dishes are Bryan Caswell's Smoked Red Hot Au Q, a slow-smoked chorizo link in a pretzel bun with smoked bacon, jalapeno ranch and crispy onions served with a queso dip, and Andrew Zimmern's AZ Canteen Sausage, a cheddar bratwurst served on a butter-griddled Martin's potato bun with house-made whole grain mustard and roasted vegetable mayo, topped with minted cabbage slaw, pickled jalapenos and AZ's secret spice mix.
Saturday, September 10 - 12:05 p.m. vs. Chicago Cubs
Fans, grab your boots, belt buckles and cowboy hats and head out to Minute Maid Park for the Boot Scoot 'n BBQ Street Fest presented by Nolan Ryan Beef on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Crawford Street. The Street Fest will feature BBQ from Jackson St. BBQ, live music, face painting, caricature artists, a photo booth, local Houston food trucks and bar games. Fans must have a valid ticket to the Cubs vs. Astros game on Sept. 10 to enter the Boot Scoot 'n BBQ Street Fest. All gates will open at 10:00 a.m.
Prior to Saturday's 12:05 p.m. contest, 10,000 fans will receive a George Springer "Outfield Wall Catch" Bobblehead, presented by Nolan Ryan Beef. Fans are encouraged to arrive at the ballpark early to receive this weekend's promotional giveaways, as supplies are limited and not guaranteed.
Saturday's game will be broadcast nationally, exclusively on FOX, beginning at 12:05 p.m. Fans can also catch all of the game action on the Astros flagship radio stations KBME 790 AM and in Spanish on La Nueva 94.1 FM.
Fans should be aware that Union Station Lobby will not be available as a game day entrance on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to enter through the Street Festival at Left Field Gate or Center Field Gate.
Sunday, September 11 - 7:05 p.m. vs. Chicago Cubs
Sunday, Sept. 11 is First Responders Appreciation Night at Minute Maid Park in acknowledgement and memory of the 15th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Members of the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff's Office and Houston Fire Department will participate in an on-field pregame ceremony, throw out a ceremonial first pitch, present the nation's colors, sing the National Anthem and God Bless America.
The Astros vs. Cubs game will air nationally on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN at 7:05 p.m. Fans can also catch all of the game action on the Astros flagship radio stations KBME 790 AM and in Spanish on La Nueva 94.1 FM.
With the switch to a later game on a school night, Kids Run the Bases will not take place postgame.
Bring the whole family out to Minute Maid Park on Sundays for Kroger Family Sunday. For Kroger Family 4-Pack or Kroger Family Sunday tickets, please visit www.astros.com/family or by calling 1-877-9ASTROS.
Monday, September 12 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Texas Rangers
Monday kicks off the final Lone Star Series matchup of the 2016 regular season, presented by Texas Lottery, which will also feature the Texas Lottery Astros scratch off promotion. Fans can bring their Astros lottery ticket to the Minute Maid Park Box Office and receive two Bullpen Box tickets for only $25 each during the Lone Star Series, Sept. 12-14. Tickets are exclusively available at the Minute Maid Park box office and not online.
The Astros are teaming up with the Texas Rangers to contribute to Louisiana flood relief efforts. The Astros will be donating the proceeds of Monday's Share2Care raffle to the American Red Cross to assist the victims of the recent devastating floods in Louisiana. The Rangers donated the proceeds of their 50/50 Raffle on Sept. 4. Additionally, each team's foundation will make an additional contribution to the American Red Cross.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the Astros will be recognizing several childhood cancer support organizations over the course of the three-game series vs. the Texas Rangers. Children from these organizations will be invited to participate in various in-game features, including the Kids First Call, a ceremonial first pitch, a pregame ceremony and as the Minute Maid Honorary Bat Kid. Monday's featured organization is the Ronald McDonald House Houston, which provides a home away from home to families with seriously ill children.
The Astros Foundation is again hosting its annual Golf Classic on Monday, Sept. 12 at the Golf Club of Houston. This year's beneficiaries include the Astros Foundation's cornerstone programs for at-risk youth, the Sunshine Kids, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance and Ronald McDonald House Houston. Media wishing to cover Monday's Golf Tournament should contact Dena Propis at [email protected].
Tuesday, September 13 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Texas Rangers
The Astros continue their recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday by featuring members of the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance, which partners with families and shares their journey as they battle the disease and the tremendous financial burden they inherit immediately upon diagnosis, at no charge.
Astros fans can catch the deal of the season with Double Play Tuesdays, presented by Coca-Cola. Participating fans receive two View Deck II tickets for only $22. Present two (2) labels from any Coca-Cola product containers at the Minute Maid Park Box Office to receive two (2) View Deck II tickets for $22. This offer is good at every Tuesday home game. For more information, please visit www.astros.com/value.
Wednesday, September 14 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Texas Rangers
On Wednesday, the Astros will recognize the Sunshine Kids, a Houston-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality activities to children with cancer, as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Houston Astros legend and Hall of Famer Craig Biggio has worked closely with the Sunshine Kids organization for over 20 years.
Every Wednesday night home game features $1 Hot Dogs, presented by Nolan Ryan Beef. Fans can purchase an unlimited number of Nolan Ryan Beef hot dogs at $1 each while supplies last (limit of four per person per concession visit).
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