Astros vs. Dodgers Game Thread: Game 36, 5/4/2026

Q: What is the starting lineup for the Astros vs. Dodgers game on May 4, 2026?

Steven Okert will start for the Astros, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start for the Dodgers.

Q: How have the Astros performed against the Dodgers since the 2017 World Series?

The Astros are 11-9 against the Dodgers in the regular season since the 2017 World Series and have won six of the last seven games.

Q: Who was named the AL Player of the Month for March/April 2026?

Yordan Alvarez was named the AL Player of the Month for March/April 2026, batting .356 with 12 home runs.

Q: What recent roster changes have the Astros made before the game against the Dodgers?

The Astros recalled Zach Cole and designated Daniel Johnson for assignment, while reinstating Zach Dezenzo from the Injured List.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 03: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros catches a fly ball hit by Caleb Durbin #5 of the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on May 03, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images **TONIGHT’S GAME:** The **Houston Astros** (14-21) will wear their City Connect uniforms tonight as they welcome in the rival **Los Angeles Dodgers** (21-13) for the first game of a three-game series at Daikin Park. Veteran reliever **LHP Steven Okert** (0-0, 4.20 ERA) will get the start for the Astros as an opener tonight opposite the Dodgers **RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto** (2-2, 2.87 ERA). **TONIGHT’S STARTER:** LHP Steven Okert, a nine-year MLB veteran, will be making his fifth Major League start as an opener and his second as an Astro (also, Aug. 5, 2025 at MIA). The often-used lefty reliever had made 17 relief appearances in 2026, which ranks tied for fourth in the AL. **VS. THE DODGERS:** The Astros and Dodgers will forever be connected by the 2017 World Series, which was won by Houston in a thrilling seven games. Since that 2017 season began, the Astros and Dodgers have been the two top clubs in baseball, in terms of regular season wins and playoff wins. Since the 2017 World Series, the Astros are 11-9 against the Dodgers in the regular season and have won six of the last seven games. In their last meeting, the Astros swept the Dodgers in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium (July 4-6, 2025), outscoring the Dodgers 29-6 in the three games. **PLAYER OF THE MONTH!**: Announced earlier today, **OF ** was named the AL Player of the Month for March/April for his third career AL Player of the Month Award. For the months of March and April, Alvarez batted .356 (42×118) with nine doubles, 12 home runs, 27 RBI, 21 walks, 25 runs scored and a 1.199 OPS (.462 OBP/.737 SLG). **MILB PLAYERS OF THE MONTH:** Earlier today, the Astros named **RHP Brandon McPherson** and **C Jason Schiavone** the Astros Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Month for April. McPherson, 26, went 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA (6ER/16.2IP) in four starts in April with Double A Corpus Christi. Schiavone, 23, hit nine home runs and recorded 23 RBI, with 22 walks, seven stolen bases and a 1.050 OPS in 20 games in April with High A Asheville. **HIT PARADE:** The Astros, who lead the AL in batting average (.269), have reached double-figures in hits in each of the last six games, hitting .316 (71×225) in that span. The last time the Astros reached double-figures in hits in six straight games was Aug. 6-12, 2024. The club record is eight straight games, done several times (last, June 1018, 2018). Yesterday marked the 17th game in which Houston reached double figures in hits in 2026. **TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES**: The Astros have recalled **OF ** and designated **OF Daniel Johnson** for assignment. Additionally, the club has reinstated **OF ** from the Injured List and optioned him to Triple A Sugar Land. **FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM:** The Astros have 13 players on the Major League IL. • **RHP ** (rt. elbow surgery) continues his bullpen progression in West Palm Beach. • **RHP ** (rt. shoulder sprain) is progressing through his throwing program and is now up to throwing from 120 ft. • **RHP ** (rt. arm fatigue) is scheduled to make his second rehab start tomorrow at Triple A. • **RHP ** (rt. shoulder strain) will begin a throwing progression this week. • **LHP ** (lt. biceps tendinitis) is scheduled to make his first minor league rehab appearance this week at Triple A Sugar Land. • **RHP ** (rt. elbow surgery) is scheduled to make his third minor league rehab appearance tomorrow at Triple A Sugar Land. • **LHP ** (lt. elbow surgery) continues his throwing progression this week in West Palm Beach. • **RHP ** (rt. elbow surgery) continues his bullpen progression in West Palm Beach. • **IF ** (mid-back spasms) played in two minor league rehab games over the weekend at Double A Corpus Christi, going 2×7 with a double and two RBI. • **OF ** (rt. quad strain) has started light running and light baseball activity. • **OF ** (rt. oblique strain) has started swinging a bat and doing running and throwing activities. • **SS ** (rt. hamstring strain) continued baseball activity in Boston over the weekend. He continues to increase the intensity of his workouts. • **OF ** (left groin strain) has begun a running progression and light baseball activity. **THE ORDER:** The Astros have used 35 different batting orders in their 35 games so far this season. Only LF Yordan Alvarez has started every game in the same spot in the lineup (second). **WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER:** **** is hitting .426 (20×51) in his last 12 games (since April 20) with four homers and 10 RBI. For the season, Walker ranks tied for fourth in the AL in RBI (26), fifth in SLG (.579) and sixth in OPS (.975). **CLIMBING THE CHARTS:** With 238 career homers as a second baseman, **Jose Altuve** needs one more to tie **Lou Whitaker** for seventh place all-time in MLB history among second basemen. Altuve also needs three RBI to become the fifth player in franchise history to reach 900. TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1975 – Astros great **1B Bob Watson** makes history, as he scores the 1,000,000th run in Major League history in Game 1 of an Astros doubleheader in . He crosses the plate at approx. 12:32 p.m. in the afternoon, scoring from second base on a three-run homer by **C Milt May**. The Astros lose the opener, 8-6.