1968 Houston Astros season

The 1968 Houston Astros season was the seventh season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their fourth as the Astros, seventh in the National League (NL), and fourth at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season with a record of 68–93, in ninth place and 32+1⁄2 games behind the NL pennant and World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals.

On April 10, pitcher Larry Dierker made his first career Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted the Pitsburgh Pirates and won, 5–4. During the amateur draft, Houston's first round selection was catcher Martin Cott, at third overall, and in the 18th round, pitcher Ken Forsch.

For the first time, the Astros hosted the MLB All-Star Game at The Astrodome, with the NL defeating the American League (AL), 1–0. First baseman Rusty Staub represented the Astros and played for the National League at the All-Star Game, his second career selection.

With an 18-strikeout performance on July 14, right-hander Don Wilson matched the then-major league record for a single game.

The Astros concluded their season with a record of 72–90, an improvement of three wins, in tenth place of 10 teams and 25 games behind the repeat NL-pennant winning Cardinals. It was the first time the Astros finished a season in last place. Shortstop Héctor Torres was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team.

Along with MLB's expansion featuring the introduction of four new franchises and an extra playoff round, this was also the final season prior to MLB's divisional era. Hence, all teams were realigned into four newly-commissioned divisions beginning the following season, with the Astros to compete in the NL West.