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DENVER, CO - APRIL 8: Jeremy Pena #3 of the Houston Astros bats in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 8, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (19-29) visit Target Field in Minneapolis today to begin a 3-game series vs. the Minnesota Twins (21-26).
RHP Tatsuya Imai (1-1, 9.24 ERA) will start vs. the Astros as he takes on Twins LHP Kendry Morales (1-0, 2.45 ERA). Both starters are facing their respective opponents for the first time.
ROADIES: Tonight is the 1st game of a 10-game, 3-city road trip for the Astros. After this 3-game set at MIN, they will visit Chicago for a 3-game series at Wrigley Field (Fri.-Sun.) vs. the Cubs and then travel back to Texas for a 4-game series vs. the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
VS. THE TWINS: The Astros were 5-1 vs. MIN last season, going 3-0 at home and 2-1 here at Target Field. The Astros won 2 of 3 in their last visit to Target Field, April 3-6 of 2025 and then later swept MIN in a 3-game series at Daikin Park, June 13-15.
Since 2021, the Astros are 9-5 at Target Field and 18-13 vs. MIN overall.
ABOUT IMAI: RHP Tatsuya Imai will make his fifth start tonight and the first of his career vs. the Twins. On Tues. vs. SEA, he made his 1st start after being out for 26 games while on the Injured List due to arm fatique (4 IP, 6 ER).
In January, the Astros signed Imai to a three-year deal. In 2025, he was an All-Star for the Seibu Lions in the NPB in Japan, where he went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA (35ER/163.2IP) in 24 games.
ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have placed IF Jose Altuve on the 10-day IL due to a left oblique strain (retro 5/17).
The Astros also reinstated IF Jeremy Peña from 10-day IL and recalled RHP Jason Alexander from Triple A Sugar Land.
To make room on the active roster, the Astros designated RHP Cody Bolton for assignment.
ROAD WARRIOR: In his young career, Brice Matthews has had success hitting on the road, as he enters tonight with a .280 (21×75) career avg. in 24 road games with 6 HR and 20 RBI with a .587 SLG and a .947 OPS.
In 2026, he is hitting .294 (15×51) on the road with 2 HR and an .883 OPS.
BRYAN’S SONG: After a slow start to his season, RHP Bryan Abreu has not allowed a run in his last 5 outings, covering 5.2 IP (3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 SO). In his last 7 appearances, Abreu has posted a 1.23 ERA (1ER/7.2IP) with 9 K’s.
AIR YORDAN: Yordan Alvarez is batting .316 with 11 doubles, 15 HR, 31 RBI and a 1.061 OPS (.423 OBP/.638 SLG).
In the AL, he ranks first in total bases (111), first in XBH (26), 2nd in OBP, and SLG, and 3rd in batting avg….
Alvarez was named AL Player of the Month for March/April.
Twin-Killing: In 27 career games vs. MIN, Alvarez has 9 HR and 22 RBI while posting a .577 SLG/.913 OPS. In 14 career games at Target Field, he has 5 HR and 14 RBI.
THE SHEW FITS: IF Braden Shewmake, who has seen steady playing time recently, has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games and is hitting .333 overall in 17 games this season with 3 HR while posting an .896 OPS.
Shewmake had a career high 10-game hitting streak from May 5-15.
He was acquired by the Astros in a trade with the Yankees on April 19.
WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER: 1B Christian Walker is batting .263 (45×171) with 27 runs, 10 doubles, 11 HR, 30 RBI and a .857 OPS.
Among all AL players in 2026, Walker ranks tied for sixth in extra-base hits (21), tied for seventh in RBI (30), eighth in total bases (88), eighth in SLG (.515) and tied for ninth in home runs (11).
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2015 – RHP Lance McCullers Jr. makes his Major League debut in a start at home vs. OAK. He allows just 1 run in 4.2 IP with 5 strikeouts. He earns his 1st career punchout for the final out of the 1st inning (Billy Butler).
2002 – Jose Vizcaino walks off the Pirates with a solo HR in the 9th inning, lifting the Astros to a 2-1 win.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, May 18, 6:40 p.m. CT
Location: Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
He's back.
️: 6:40pm
: @SpaceCityHN
️: @SportsTalk790 & 740 AM | Spanish: 102.9 HD2#ChaseTheFight x @reliantenergypic.twitter.com/mI32CHTDf8
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 18, 2026
Monday's lineup just dropped
https://t.co/usGFyQCbUxpic.twitter.com/amL14bwoEl
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 18, 2026
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