2016 Houston Astros season
| 2016 Houston Astros | |
|---|---|
| League | American League |
| Division | West |
| Ballpark | Minute Maid Park |
| City | Houston, Texas |
| Record | 84–78 (.519) |
| Divisional place | 3rd |
| Owners | Jim Crane |
| General managers | Jeff Luhnow |
| Managers | A. J. Hinch |
| Television | Root Sports Southwest (Bill Brown, Alan Ashby, Geoff Blum) |
| Radio | Sportstalk 790 (Robert Ford, Steve Sparks) KLAT (Spanish) (Francisco Romero, Alex Treviño) |
| Stats | ESPN.com Baseball Reference |
The 2016 Houston Astros season was the 55th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 52nd as the Astros, fourth in both the American League (AL) and AL West division, and 17th at Minute Maid Park. They entered the season having posted an 86–76 record, in second place and 2 games behind the division-champion Texas Rangers. The Astros qualified for the playoffs as a Wild Card team; however, their season ended in defeat to the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series (ALDS).
On April 5 at Yankee Stadium, Dallas Keuchel made his second consecutive Opening Day start for Houston, who defeated New York, 5–3. After a 7–17 start in the month of April, the Astros produced a winning record over their next four months, highlighted by an 18–8 record in June. The Astros' first-round draft pick in the amateur draft was pitcher Forrest Whitley, at 17th overall.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and pitcher Will Harris represented the Astros and played for the American League at the MLB All-Star Game. It was Altuve's fourth career selection and the first for Harris. After going 12–15 in September, the Astros were eliminated from playoff contention.
The Astros concluded the season with a final record of 84–78, for third place and eleven games behind Texas, who repeated as division champions. In the Wild Card race, the Astros trailed the Toronto Blue Jays by five games for the second opening. For the first time since 2005—2006, the Astros posted consecutive winning seasons. The 2016 season was the final year in which Houston did not advance to at least the American League Championship Series (ALCS) until 2024, and the final time that they did not win the AL West over a full 162-game schedule until 2025.
Altuve, who claimed a second AL batting championship (.338) and third consecutive hits title (216), was named The Sporting News Player of the Year, and the MLBPA Players Choice Awards each for Major League Player of the Year, AL Outstanding Player, and Majestic Athletic Always Game Award. He also won his third consecutive Silver Slugger Award. Additionally, pitcher Dallas Keuchel won his third consecutive Gold Glove, and third baseman Alex Bregman was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team.