The Astros are currently two games behind the Mariners in the AL West and just a half-game ahead of the Guardians for the third WC spot.

However, moments before game time, the Astros made an adjustment with Zach Cole being inserted into the lineup and Mauricio Dubon taking over at shortstop. With concerns mounting over Pena’s status, the Astros announced on X, “Jeremy Pena has been removed from today’s lineup due to oblique soreness.”

Astros center fielder Jake Meyers stood at home plate in disbelief, echoing the feeling of a sellout crowd that had just ridden a roller-coaster of emotions in the span of about 10 seconds. Nervousness turned to excitement before giving away to disappointment.

Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena, who has 17 home runs and 62 RBIs this season, was scratched from Sunday night's game vs. the Mariners with left oblique soreness.

For the second straight game, the Houston Astros fell to the Seattle Mariners, this time by a score of 6-4 on Saturday at Daikin Park.

In the 64-year history of the franchise, the Houston Astros have hit 2.7 million fans in attendance 13 times, including in 2025.

HOUSTON — In the Houston Astros’ biggest game of the season, first base belonged to backup catcher Victor Caratini, furthering questions about Christian Walker’s future as an everyday player.

This is the second time this season that Alvarez has been on the injured list. He missed three months with what the Astros called right hand inflammation. Eventually, it was discovered that he had a small fracture in the bone, which delayed his return to Aug. 26.

Astros fans can skip the umbrella Friday as Houston stays mostly dry, but warm and humid air at Daikin Park could still shape how the game plays out.