Lance McCullers Jr., Jose Altuve lead vintage Astros

The Astros wore their City Connect jerseys for the first time Monday night at Daikin Park, but the opener against the Boston Red Sox was Retro Night. It was 2017 again. Lance McCullers Jr. was dealing. Jose Altuve crushed a pair of home runs, and Carlos Correa was making web gems at short.

McCullers, 32, threw seven strong innings while holding the Red Sox to one run on four hits with nine strikeouts. The outing was his longest since Sept. 21, 2022, when he also threw seven innings.

“This year I’ve been really focused on just trying to not worry about the past or the future,” McCullers said after the Astros’ 8-1 victory. “Just enjoy the moment and go out there and compete as hard as I can.”

Carlos Correa flashes Gold Glove defense

Moreover, McCullers delivered his first quality start since last July 4 against the Dodgers. McCullers was 2-5 with a 6.51 ERA last year after missing the 2023 and 2024 seasons because of injuries.

“I’m happy for him,” Astros manager Joe Espada said of McCullers. “How hard he’s worked to get back on track and the amount of strikes he threw in that game, the fastball, 36 fastballs. That’s not counting the cutters, 25 of them for strikes.

“Pitching out of trouble. Carlos Correa’s defense behind him. The play in the sixth that (Correa) made up the middle, if that ball gets through there it could be a completely different inning. But outstanding performance by Lance. He picked us up big time today.”

Correa, who has moved to third base since returning to the Astros last July, started at shortstop as Jeremy Peña rested.

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Altuve, the 2017 American League MVP, hit two home runs and finished 4-for-4 to tie his career high for hits in a game. Cuban slugger Yordan Alvarez, the 2019 AL Rookie of the Year, also was in vintage form.

Astros power show

The Astros hit four home runs. None was more impressive than Alvarez’s two-run moon shot to right field. Considering that Alvarez’s season was sabotaged by injuries last year, Astros fans have to be pleased to know that Alvarez already has a pair of two-run homers after five games in 2026.

It wasn’t all about the veterans, though. Brice Matthews hit his first home run of the year. Ultimately, though, the biggest story of the night was McCullers.

“Big game for him tonight, obviously,” Altuve said of McCullers. “He knows we’re rooting for him. He knows we’re going to be out there trying to help, but the way he pitched today it was amazing.

“The two-seamer, changeup, slider. I know he’s going to go out there and pitch big games for us this year. We’re excited about that.”