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Brown pitched four scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, issuing just two walks while striking out nine.
Brown was nearly untouchable Sunday as he struck out nine of the 11 batters he faced. So far this spring, Brown's allowed just one run over 8.2 innings while racking up 14 strikeouts. The right-hander, who's already been announced as the Astros' Opening Day starter, is expected to anchor Houston's rotation in 2026 after pitching to a 2.43 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 206 strikeouts in 31 starts (185.1 innings) last season.
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Astros' Hunter Brown: Named Opening Day starter
Rotowire
Astros manager Joe Espada announced Wednesday that Brown will be the team's Opening Day starter, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Most teams don't reveal their Opening Day starters this early in spring training, but Brown was the obvious choice after finishing third in American League Cy Young voting in 2025. The 27-year-old right-hander will go up against the Angels at home on Opening Day.
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Astros' Hunter Brown: Collects $5.71 million for 2026
Rotowire
Brown agreed to a one-year, $5.71 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander will receive a well-earned raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Brown positioned himself as Houston's ace in 2025, posting a 2.43 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 206:57 K:BB across 185.1 innings.
Brown (12-9) took the loss against the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings.
Brown got through two scoreless innings before giving up a run in the third. He was down just 1-0 entering the fifth frame, but the A's tagged him for three runs in what proved to be his final inning of work. Wednesday marked the first time Brown has given up more than two earned runs since he yielded three against Seattle on July 20 (his first start out of the All-Star break). It remains to be seen if he'll get a chance to pitch in the postseason, as Houston currently sits one game out of the final AL wild-card spot.
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Astros' Hunter Brown: Nine Ks in tough-luck loss
Rotowire
Brown (12-8) was charged with the loss Friday against the Mariners, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out nine.
That makes it seven consecutive starts of at least six innings for the All-Star right-hander, who piled up his most punchouts since his June 26 start against the Phillies. Each of those last seven outings have been quality starts, and Brown hasn't conceded more than two runs since July 20 in Seattle. Brown's last appearance of the regular season tentatively projects to come against the division-rival Athletics in Sacramento. Through 180.1 innings, Brown has a 2.30 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 201:55 K:BB for the first 200-strikeout season of his career.
Brown (12-7) earned the win against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two across 6.2 innings.
Brown started out strongly by retiring nine of the first 10 batters he faced and was supplied a six-run cushion by his offense. He punched out a season-low two batter but came away with his seventh quality start in eight games, and his 20 quality starts this season is tied for second most in the majors behind Cristopher Sanchez (21). Brown also ranks third among qualified starters with a 2.27 ERA (across 174.1 innings), and his 192 strikeouts are tied with Sanchez for eighth most. Brown is lined up to face the Mariners at home next weekend.
Brown (11-7) earned the win over the Rangers on Saturday, delivering six shutout innings with four hits, three walks, and eight strikeouts.
Brown continued his impressive August form, and he's posted a dazzling 1.44 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 41:14 K:BB through his last 43.2 innings. The right-hander threw a season-high 107 pitches, matching his career high, before exiting the mound with the Astros ahead 3-0. The outing was Brown's eighth scoreless start of the year, and he remains among the league's ERA leaders and strengthens his Cy Young case. The 27-year-old will take a 2.25 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 190:52 K:BB into his next scheduled outing against Atlanta next weekend.
