First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET (7:10 p.m. CT)
Venue: Daikin Park, Houston, Texas
TV/Streaming: Space City Home Network (Astros), Rockies.TV / MLB.TV; radio on KTRH 740 AM / 99.1 FM (HOU) and KOA 850 AM / 94.1 FM (COL)
Series: First of a three-game set (Rockies at Astros April 14-16) — first 2026 matchup between the clubs (Astros host after Rockies swept the most recent series in Denver).
Weather Update
Daikin Park features a retractable roof that will be closed for this contest, creating fully controlled indoor conditions (approximately 72-76°F with no wind or precipitation impact). Outside temperatures in Houston are forecast in the upper 70s to low 80s with light winds, but the dome eliminates any weather variables. Expect a neutral hitting environment with the total set at 8.5 runs — typical for early-season play in a pitcher-friendly indoor setting.
Team Records & Recent Form
Rockies (6-10, 5th in NL West, 2-8 away): Colorado has been streaky, sitting at .375 overall and on a four-game losing skid entering play. They rank near the bottom in several offensive categories but showed life in the recent Denver series sweep of Houston (9-1, 5-1, 9-7). Road woes persist, with the bullpen and consistency remaining major issues.
Astros (6-11, 5th in AL West, 5-2 home): Houston has struggled mightily of late (0-5 in its last five games) despite a solid home record. The offense has been inconsistent, and the team sits near the bottom of the AL in several categories. They return home after the Denver sweep looking to reverse momentum.
Injury Report
Rockies (rotation and outfield depth hit hard):
Jose Quintana (SP) — 15-day IL (strained right hamstring).
Jared Thomas (CF) — 7-day IL.
Kyle Freeland (SP) — day-to-day (left shoulder soreness; scratched from recent start).
Longer-term: McCade Brown (SP, 60-day IL), Case Williams (SP, 60-day IL).
Astros (significant position-player and rotation losses):
Jake Meyers (OF) — 10-day IL (oblique).
Jeremy Peña (SS) — 10-day IL (knee/hamstring).
Zach Dezenzo (INF) — 10-day IL (elbow).
Hunter Brown (SP) — 15-day IL (shoulder).
Bennett Sousa (RP) — 15-day IL.
Both teams are dealing with thin pitching and lineup depth, but Houston’s absences in the middle infield and outfield are particularly noticeable.
Probable Pitchers & Key Player Matchups
Rockies: RHP Michael Lorenzen (1-1, 8.36 ERA, 2.14 WHIP, 10 K in 14.0 IP)
Lorenzen has been hit hard early (26 hits allowed), though he held the Astros to one run in 5.2 IP during the recent series. This is a tough road spot in a dome against a lineup hungry for offense.
Astros: LHP Colton Gordon (#61, 1-0 or 0-0, 1.69 ERA in early action, strong peripherals)
Gordon, a promising young lefty, brings electric stuff and low walk rates into his early-season starts. He draws a favorable matchup against a Rockies offense that has struggled on the road.
Key Position Player Matchups/Notes (based on recent trends):
Astros threats vs. Lorenzen: Yordan Alvarez (power bat in the heart of the order), plus contributions from the middle of the lineup looking to break the skid.
Rockies threats vs. Gordon: T.J. Rumfield (.308 BA, leading the club), Cam Smith (12-for-37 with extra-base hits recently), and Mickey Moniak (seeking first homer at Daikin Park).
Overall edge: Clear pitching advantage to Houston with Gordon’s strong early numbers versus Lorenzen’s inflated ERA.
Series History
This opens the 2026 season series. Historically, the Astros lead the all-time series (approximately 110-90 range), but the Rockies swept the most recent three-game set in Denver (April 6-8, 2026). No dominant trend in Houston recently, though the home club has performed better in dome conditions.
Betting Trends
Astros are 3-7 as favorites this season and 0-5 lately overall; totals have gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 home games. Road dogs like the Rockies have cashed in spots against slumping favorites, but the pitching mismatch favors the home side.
Game Odds
Colorado Rockies 8.5
Houston Astros – 194
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 13, 2026
