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2014 Houston Astros season

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2014 Houston Astros
LeagueAmerican League
DivisionWest
BallparkMinute Maid Park
CityHouston, Texas
Record70–92 (.432)
Divisional place4th
OwnersJim Crane
General managersJeff Luhnow
ManagersBo Porter[a] – 59–79 (.428)
Tom Lawless[b]–11–13 (.458)
TelevisionCSN Houston
(Bill Brown, Alan Ashby, Geoff Blum)
RadioSportstalk 790
(Robert Ford, Steve Sparks, Milo Hamilton)
KLAT (Spanish)
(Francisco Romero, Alex Treviño)
StatsESPN.com
Baseball Reference
← 2013
2015 →

The 2014 Houston Astros season was the 53rd season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 50th as the Astros, second in both the American League (AL) and AL West division, and 15th at Minute Maid Park. The Astros entered the season with a 51–111 record and last-place finish in the AL West division, 45 games behind the division-champion Oakland Athletics, Houston's worst-ever record to date, and worst record in the major leagues. It had also been their fourth-progressively worse performance, as well the third consecutive of the first three 100-loss seasons in franchise history.

Houston commenced their season on April 1 by hosting the New York Yankees, with Scott Feldman making his first Opening Day start, and won, 6–2. The Astros' first round draft pick in the amateur draft was pitcher Brady Aiken, at number one overall, and in the sixth round, they chose outfielder Ramón Laureano.

Second baseman Jose Altuve represented the Astros at the 2014 MLB All-Star Game and played for the American League, his second career selection. On September 1, Tom Lawless was named interim manager, the 22nd in franchise history, replacing Bo Porter, who had been fired.

With a 70–92 record and fourth-place finish, Houston improved by 19 wins from the previous season, ending a string of three consecutive last-place finishes, including avoiding a last-place finish in the AL West for the first time.

Altuve established the franchise record for hits (225), leading the major leagues, while becoming the first batting champion (.341) in franchise history. Altuve also received the Silver Slugger Award for the first time. Starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel won his first career Gold Glove Award. Outfielder George Springer was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team.

It was the final season until 2020 in which the Astros failed to produce a winning record. This still remains the last time they finished a full 162-game season with a losing record.

Offseason

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Summary

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The Astros concluded the 2013 season with a 51–111 (.315) record, ranking last of five teams in the AL West division, and 45 games behind the division-champion Oakland Athletics.[1] It was Houston's inaugural season as members of the American League after having spent their first 51 as members of the National League. However, the 111 defeats were the most of any season in team history, having surpassed the 55–107 (.340) showing in 2012, their third consecutive season with 100 or more losses, all of which were the first such performances in club history. It was also the fourth season with progressively more defeats than the prior.[2]

Prior to this season, the Astros hired Brent Strom as pitching coach, his second stint in a coaching role with the team. He was previously employed with the team for the 1996, then served at the major league level as pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals for the 2000 and 2001 campaigns.[3]

Transactions

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Regular season

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Summary

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April—May

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Opening Day starter Scott Feldman delivers the pitch at Minute Maid Park.
Opening Day starting lineup
Uniform Player Position
21Dexter FowlerCenter fielder
19Robbie GrossmanLeft fielder
27Jose AltuveSecond baseman
15Jason CastroCatcher
14Jesús GuzmánFirst baseman
23Chris CarterDesignated hitter
30Matt DominguezThird baseman
28L. J. HoesRight fielder
6Jonathan VillarShortstop
46Scott FeldmanPitcher
Venue: Minute Maid Park • Houston 6, New York (AL) 2

Sources:[6][7]

Led by Opening Day starter Scott Feldman on April 1, the Astros hosted and defeated the New York Yankees, 6–2. Jesús Guzmán and L. J. Hoes both connected for home runs as the totality of the Astros' scoring occurred within the first two frames off Yankees starter CC Sabathia. Feldman, meanwhile, surrendered two hits over 6+2⁄3 shutout innings pitched. Dexter Fowler thumped two doubles, while Jose Altuve added two hits and a stolen base.[8]

On April 5, longtime Astros teammates Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt returned and signed one-day contracts to formally retire as members of the team. During a pre-game ceremony, a tribute played on video monitor with commentary by Nolan Ryan, Tony La Russa, Albert Pujols, and Jake Peavy, and former teammates Craig Biggio, Brad Ausmus, Andy Pettitte, and Adam Everett. They were presented with their framed 2005 World Series jerseys, personalized rocking chairs and Stetson hats, and it was announced that the two Texas flags flown at the State Capitol in Austin would be framed and given to the two players.[9]

On April 22, Collin McHugh started and earned his first major league victory in his Astros debut, allowing three hits over 6+2⁄3 shutout innings of the Seattle Mariners, and registered 12 strikeouts.[10] This was his first career double-digit strikeout game and permanently remained his career high.[11] During parts of two seasons prior to arriving in Houston, McHugh had been charged an 8.94 earned run average (ERA) and an 0–8 win–loss record (W–L) over 15 appearances. Meanwhile, as of this season, he retained his rookie status.[5]

In his second start on April 27, McHugh garnered another victory while also going within one out of earning his first complete game. He surrendered one run on two hits and three walks, in a 5–1 victory over the Oakland Athletics.[10] This was the right-hander's season high in innings and career high until tossing his first complete game on May 30, 2016.[11]

During a seven-game span from May 21–29, 2014, right fielder George Springer hit seven home runs.

On May 8, rookie right fielder George Springer blasted his first major league home run at Comerica Park to lead a 6–2 win over the Detroit Tigers[12]

From May 12—29, George Springer constructed a consecutive on-base streak of 15. From May 10–29, he connected for nine home runs with 22 runs batted in (RBI) for a slash line of .333 / .450 / .818 / 1.268 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). He also had an 11-game hitting streak, and hit seven of the home runs over a seven-game span from May 21–29.[Note 1][12][13] On May 26, Springer established new career-bests with four hits and five runs scored to lead a 9–2 win over the Kansas City Royals. One of the four hits was Springer's fourth home run in three games, helping inject new life into a club whose record stood at 17–32.[14] For his first full month in the major leagues, Springer batted .294 with 10 home runs, 25 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a .647 slugging percentage. He was named AL Rookie of the Month, Houston's first recipient since becoming an AL club, and first since Hunter Pence in May 2007.[12][15]

June—July

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The Astros signed Jon Singleton on June 2 to a 5-year, $10 million contract. At the time, this was the largest contract ever agreed to with a player who had yet to make his major league debut.[16] A key piece in the Hunter Pence trade, on June 3, Singleton made his major league debut, and launched a home run to lead a 7–2 win over the Los Angeles Angels.[17]

First baseman Chris Carter

On June 8, the Astros connected for two grand slams in the same game for the second time in club history,[18] by Jon Singleton,[19] and Chris Carter, the first in the Major Leagues for both players.[20] In addition to Carter and Singleton, Dexter Fowler (4) and Springer (12) went deep in a 14–5 rout of the Minnesota Twins. Singleton also thumped his first Major League double, and Jose Altuve pilfered two bases. Carter stroked his grand slam in the seventh inning of Brian Duensing, while Singleton followed in the ninth off Glen Perkins.[21] The first game with two grand slams for Houston were hit by Jimmy Wynn and Denis Menke on July 30, 1969, which they hit during the same inning.[c][18]

George Springer was featured on the June 25 cover of Sports Illustrated, including a prediction of Houston's 2017 World Series championship. At the time, Springer had 14 home runs and 59 RBI, Jose Altuve was leading the major leagues in hits, while the Astros had occupied last place in the AL West with a 33–45 (.423) record.[22]

Over a 52-game span from July 4 through September 5, Chris Carter hammered 23 home run, 55 runs batted in (RBI), and hit for a .687 slugging percentage—all leading the major leagues in that span. He also hit .296.[23]

Left-hander Dallas Keuchel posted a 9–5 win–loss record with a 3.20 earned run average (ERA) at the All-Star break, and was named a finalist for the final AL roster spot in the MLB All-Star Game.[24]

Beginning July 19, Springer was out of action due to a strained left quadriceps, and hence, was placed on the 15-day disabled list (DL). He appeared to be progressing, even going through a minor league rehabilitation stint in August, but it was announced on September 16 that he would miss the rest of the season, playing in a total of 78 games.[25]

August

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On August 2, Jon Singleton connected for an inside-the-park home run, driving in three runners, off Brett Cecil of the Toronto Blue Jays. This was the rookie's 10th home run of the season.[19]

On August 17, Jose Altuve slugged his first career grand slam, off right-hander Joe Kelly, and over the Green Monster at Fenway Park.[26] Altuve's home run (6), one of his four hits, capped a six-run second inning as the Astros routed the Red Sox, 8 to 2. Collin McHugh (6–9) scattered seven hits and four walks while whiffing six to earn the victory. Dexter Fowler (7) and Jon Singleton (11) also homered.[27] It was the seventh four-hit game of Altuve's career.[28]

On August 30, Scott Feldman (8–10) tossed his second career shutout, a three-hitter to lead a 2–0 win over the Texas Rangers. The three-hitter matched a career-best, which Feldman tossed during his last shutout the season prior. The Astros scored twice in the seventh inning, keyed by Carlos Corporán's double to put runners at second and third. Jake Marisnick followed with an RBI infield single, and Corporán scored on a throwing error by reliver Phil Klein (0–2).[29]

Rookie right-hander Collin McHugh went undefeated in six August starts, yielding a .191 earned run average (ERA) over 37+2⁄3 innings pitched (IP). McHugh surrendered one home run and six walks.[30]

September

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On September 1, the Astros terminated manager Bo Porter and bench coach Dave Trembley as the team's record stood at 59–79 (.428). Porter was replaced on an interim basis by Tom Lawless, who had been managing the Astros' Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City RedHawks. General manager Jeff Luhnow cited disagreements with Porter as the reason for his dismissal, rather than the team's on-field performance. Luhnow had "recognize[d] that our win-loss record is largely a product of an organizational strategy for which I am responsible. Rather, I made this decision because I believe we need a new direction in our clubhouse."[31]

On September 16, Jose Altuve recorded his 211th hit of the season to pass the record established by Craig Biggio in 1998. Altuve singled up the middle in the seventh inning in a 4–2 loss to the Cleveland Indians.[32]

Over four September outings, all starts, Collin McHugh won each, yielding a 1.59 ERA and 0.565 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) over 28+2⁄3 IP, McHugh won his final seven decisions of the season, along with a 2.12 ERA for the second half of the season.[30] McHugh was named AL Rookie of the Month for September, joining Springer in May earlier in the season as Astros to win the award. It was the first time Astros rookies won more than once during the same season. Additionally, McHugh was the first Astros pitcher to win Rookie of the Month since Kirk Saarloos in July of 2002, and third overall, along with Roy Oswalt.[15]

Performance overview

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Coach John Mallee and second baseman Jose Altuve

Following three consecutive 100-loss seasons—the first 100-loss seasons in franchise history—the Astros rebounded to conclude 2014 with a 70–92 record, raising by 19 victories from a 51–111 (.315) showing in 2013, to reverse multiple bleak trends, including four continuous seasons each with a progressively worse record than the preceding year, and three consecutive finalizations in last place. Further, the 2014 season was the final of 9 consecutive missing the playoffs since 2005, their first-ever World Series appearance. The Astros avoided another losing season until the 60-game 2020 gamut.[d] As of 2025, the 2014 season was the final in which Houston completed lower than in third place, and the final unshortened season with fewer than 84 victories.[2]

Jose Altuve led the major leagues with a .341 batting average to became Houston's first ever batting champion,[33], in hits (225), and in multi-hits games, and the AL with 56 stolen bases.[23] Altuve became the second Astro to lead the league in hits, joining José Cruz in 1983 in this achievement.[34] Also a Silver Slugger winner for the first time, Altuve became the first Astro to win since outfielder Carlos Lee in 2007, and joined Craig Biggio as the second Houston Astros second baseman (1994 to 1997).[35] Additionally, Altuve became the first Astro to win the Luis Aparicio Award.[36]

Southpaw Dallas Keuchel achieved a breakout campaign, both as the pitcher and as the fielder. He pitched 200 innings and was seventh in the AL in earned run average (2.93 ERA), the league leader in complete games (five), and attained a 12–9 win–loss record (W–L).[23] He won his first Gold Glove Award, the first Astros hurler since Bobby Shantz in the Colt .45s inaugural season of 1962.[37] Keuchel also became the third Astro to win the Fielding Bible Award, joining shortstop Adam Everett in 2006 and center fielder Michael Bourn in 2010.[38]

Chris Carter, meanwhile, tied for second in the majors with 37 homers. Rookie starter Collin McHugh, a waiver acquisition, posted an 11-9 W–L with a 2.74 ERA over 25 starts (falling 7+1⁄3 innings short of qualifying for the ERA title).[23]

Season standings

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American League West

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AL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 9864 .605 — 52‍–‍29 46‍–‍35
Oakland Athletics 8874 .543 10 48‍–‍33 40‍–‍41
Seattle Mariners 8775 .537 11 41‍–‍40 46‍–‍35
Houston Astros 7092 .432 28 38‍–‍43 32‍–‍49
Texas Rangers 6795 .414 31 33‍–‍48 34‍–‍47

American League Wild Card

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Division leaders
Team W L Pct.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 9864 .605
Baltimore Orioles 9666 .593
Detroit Tigers 9072 .556
Wild Card teams
(Top 2 teams qualify for postseason)
Team W L Pct. GB
Kansas City Royals 8973 .549 +1
Oakland Athletics 8874 .543 —
Seattle Mariners 8775 .537 1
Cleveland Indians 8577 .525 3
New York Yankees 8478 .519 4
Toronto Blue Jays 8379 .512 5
Tampa Bay Rays 7785 .475 11
Chicago White Sox 7389 .451 15
Boston Red Sox 7191 .438 17
Houston Astros 7092 .432 18
Minnesota Twins 7092 .432 18
Texas Rangers 6795 .414 21

Record vs. opponents

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2014 American League record
Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2014
Team BAL BOS CWS CLE DET HOU KC LAA MIN NYY OAK SEA TB TEX TOR NL
Baltimore—11–85–13–41–54–33–44–24–313–62–45–212–76–111–812–8
Boston8–11—4–32–51–54–36–12–54–27–123–41–59–104–27–129–11
Chicago1–53–4—9–109–103–36–131–59–102–54–33–45–22–45–211–9
Cleveland4–35–210–9—8–115–210–92–511–84–32–42–44–26–12–410–10
Detroit 5–15–110–911–8—4–313–63–49–103–45–22–43–44–31–512–8
Houston 3–43–43–32–53–4—3–37–123–34–28–119–102–511–84–35–15
Kansas City4–31–613–69–106–133–3—3–311–84–35–22–54–25–14–315–5