The Houston Astros, after an active off-season, start the 2017 season tonight when they host Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros underwent a makeover both on the field and at Minute Maid Park. Tal’s Hill is now gone, and team President Reid Ryan is excited about what’s replaced it.
“It has been replaced with a four story multi-purpose space that has everything from a Torchy’s Taco’s and a Shake Shack to field level suites to tiered seating that hangs over the bullpen and right over the field. People are going to love it.” Ryan told KTRH News.
On the field there are new faces to surround young stars like Carlos Correa, George Springer and Alex Bregman. The Astros made a trade for veteran power hitting catcher Brian McCann. Carlos Beltran returned to Houston as a free agent after splitting last season between the Yankees and Rangers. And the team signed Josh Reddick to a big free agent contract, too.
Because of all that movement, many experts have the Astros pegged as AL West champions. Ryan says that’s exactly what he hopes will happen this season.
“We want to be a playoff team. We want to get in the playoffs, go far and win a World Series. That’s the goal around here with the Astros,” Ryan said.
There’s buzz around the city about the 2017 Astros, something Ryan says he expected after the very active off-season.
“Folks are buying in. They see us making the commitments to putting a winning product on the field,” Ryan stated.
Dallas Keuchel gets the opening night start for the Astros. First pitch is set for 7:10 on our sister station, Sports Talk 790.