First-Place Astros Kick Off Lone Star Series Against Texas Rangers

The division-leading Astros, who own the second-best record in the American League, return home for a seven-game homestand against two division rivals. Houston has gone 10-3 against division opponents thus far in 2017, and hosts the Oakland A's for three games (April 28-30) and the in-state rival Texas Rangers for four (May 1-4). The Astros have been one of the hottest teams in the Majors of late, winning 10 of their last 13 games.
Monday, May 1 officially kicks off the 2017 Lone Star Series, presented by the Texas Lottery, between the Astros and Texas Rangers. The two clubs will play a total of 19 games against one another as they compete for the coveted Silver Boot and bragging rights. The Astros will look to retake the Silver Boot from the Rangers, who have won the season series over Houston the last two years. MLB.com recently ranked the Astros-Rangers rivalry as the second-best in all of Major League Baseball.
Friday, April 28 vs. Oakland A's - 7:10 p.m.
Big and Bright Friday Nights begin with a special pregame Budweiser Happy Hour at the Budweiser Brew House, where fans can enjoy beer and food specials, a live DJ, corn hole, jenga and more from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. before every Friday night home game.
Get ready to cheer on the Astros in the loudest and most energetic part of the ballpark for every Friday night home game in the 'StroZone! This Friday night, fans will receive an exclusive "Springer Dinger" 'StroZone T-shirt and get to show their hometown pride by throwing their H's in the air with a custom H-Town foam hand. Tickets for 'StroZone start at just $30 and include a game ticket in the newly-renovated Mezzanine Level, a custom 'StroZone T-shirt unique every Friday and an "H's in the Air" foam hand. For more information, please visit www.astros.com/strozone.
To cap off Big and Bright Friday Night, fans are invited to stay after the game for Friday Night Fireworks, presented by Occidental Petroleum. Upon conclusion of Friday's game and prior to the start of Friday Night Fireworks, fans will be asked to move from the following sections for their safety and enjoyment: Home Run Alley, Escalator Tower Stairs in Center Field, Budweiser Brew House Tiers, Budweiser Batter's Eye Bar, Torchy's Deck, Crawford Boxes and sections 100-109, 205-208, 305-309 and 405-409.
As usual, gates will open two hours prior to game time on Friday and Saturday, and 90 minutes before game time on Sunday.
Saturday, April 29 vs. Oakland A's - 6:10 p.m.
Prior to Saturday's 6:10 p.m. matchup against the A's, 10,000 fans will receive an Alex Bregman Replica White Jersey, presented by AT&T. Fans are encouraged to arrive at the ballpark early to receive any of this weekend's promotional giveaways, as supplies are limited and not guaranteed.
Additionally, Houston Texans superstar JJ Watt will throw out a ceremonial first pitch during pregame ceremonies. Watt will once again host the JJ Watt Charity Classic, presented by your local Ford Dealers, at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, May 13. Tickets are currently on-sale at www.tickets.com, www.astros.com/jjwatt or by calling 1-877-544-8399.
April 29 is Honor Our Heroes Night presented by AT&T. During a special pregame ceremony, 40 military members will carry a giant American flag onto the field, followed by a presentation of our nation's colors by the United States Marine Corps. A member of the 36th Infantry Division will throw out a ceremonial first pitch and members of the unit will be featured during the OXY Military Welcome in-game.
Fans are invited to stick around after the game on Saturday for the first Astros After Party presented by Budweiser of the season! The Astros After Party, located in the Budweiser Brew House, will begin in the 8th inning and go until an hour after the final out. Fans can enjoy music, trivia, food and beverage specials, games and visits from the Astros Coca-Cola Shooting Stars.
Sunday, April 30 vs. Oakland A's - 1:10 p.m.
Prior to Sunday's afternoon matchup, 10,000 fans will receive an Astros Green Grocery Tote, courtesy of Houston Methodist.
The Houston Astros are teaming up with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) to host an equipment drive on April 30, prior to the Astros vs Athletics game. Fans are invited to donate new and used equipment, which will benefit the YMCA of Greater Houston. In conjunction with the equipment drive, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund will donate $5,000 to the YMCA of Greater Houston for the purchase of new equipment. Astros infielder Alex Bregman, BTF's Player Ambassador will be on hand to present a ceremonial check to representatives from the YMCA during a pregame ceremony.
Astros ace Dallas Keuchel takes the mound this Sunday, which means Keuchel's Korner, presented by Houston Methodist, is back! The dedicated fan section, located in sections 105 and 106, includes a discounted ticket, a signature Dallas Keuchel beard giveaway and an exclusive Keuchel's Korner T-shirt. For tickets and more information, please visit www.astros.com/keuchelskorner.
Make sure to get your little Astros fan signed up for the Coca-ColaAstros Buddies Club! Being an Astros Buddies member includes premium items, exclusive Buddies-only experiences, tickets to select Astros games, 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.
Monday, May 1 vs. Texas Rangers - 7:10 p.m.
Prior to Monday's game, the Astros will host a press conference at 2:45 p.m. to kick off the 2017 Lone Star Series, presented by the Texas Lottery. The Texas Lottery is the title sponsor for the 2017 series between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros. The battle for the Silver Boot begins with a four-game set in Houston, May 1-4. The winner of this year's Lone Star Series will receive a $20,000 donation from the Texas Lottery to the winning organization's foundation. The participants will include Texas Lottery Commissioner Robert Rivera, Texas Rangers Ownership Committee Chairman Neil Leibman, Houston Astros Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Anita Sehgal and Executive Director of the Astros Foundation Twila Carter.
In honor of the start of the 2017 Lone Star Series, Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane's restaurants Osso & Kristalla and Potente will be offering a special Texas-themed dish, beginning May 1 and available through the rest of the Astros vs. Rangers series which ends on May 4. The Lone Star BBQ Pizzette, a pulled-pork woodfired pizza, will be available at a discounted price at both restaurants, which are located at 1515 Texas Avenue, directly across the street from Minute Maid Park.
Monday is Teacher Appreciation Night at Minute Maid Park! The first 500 fans that purchase tickets in our two designated sections will receive a special Astros Chalk Coffee Mug so they can share messages and little notes with students. Tickets for Teacher Appreciation Night are still available, starting at $26.
The Coca-Cola Value Nights package is one of the best ballpark bargains. Available for select Monday-Thursday regular season games throughout the 2017 season, this offer includes one View Deck I ticket, one hot dog, one 20 oz. bottle of Coca-Cola product and one popcorn, a $37 value for just $18! For more information, please visit www.astros.com/value.
Tuesday, May 2 vs. Texas Rangers - 7:10 p.m.
Phillips 66 Night at the ballpark is Tuesday, May 2! Members of Phillips 66 will join Astros Foundation Executive Director Twila Carter, HISD Senior Manager of Community Partnerships, Strategic Partnerships Rose Adams and HISD Manager of Library Media Services and Texas Library Association Representative-at-Large Janice Newsum on the field for a pregame ceremony, highlighting the work of the Astros Foundation Literacy Bus, presented by Phillips 66.
Astros fans can also catch the deal of the season with Double Play Tuesdays, presented by Powerade. Participating fans receive two View Deck II tickets for only $22. Present two (2) labels from any Powerade product containers at the Minute Maid Park Box Office to receive two (2) View Deck II tickets for $22. Offer good at every Tuesday home game. For more information, please visit www.astros.com/value.
Wednesday, May 3 vs. Texas Rangers - 7:10 p.m.
Every Wednesday night home game is $1 Hot Dog Night 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).
Thursday, May 4 vs. Texas Rangers - 1:10 p.m.
Thursday's afternoon game will wrap up the homestand before the Astros take a brief, three-game road trip to Anaheim to face their third consecutive division opponent, the LA Angels.
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