The Houston Astros return to Minute Maid Park on June 26 looking to secure a much-needed series win over the Philadelphia Phillies, with right-hander Hunter Brown taking the mound in what has been a resurgent stretch for both the pitcher and his club. Brown enters the matchup with a 4–5 record and a 4.56 ERA but has posted a dominant 1.40 ERA across his last four starts, showing significantly improved command and effectiveness with his off-speed pitches, especially his curveball and cutter. The Astros have leaned on his recent performances to stabilize a rotation that’s battled injuries and inconsistency for much of the season, and Brown’s recent success at home bodes well for a team that’s won 9 of its last 13 games at Minute Maid. Offensively, the Astros remain dangerous with a core that includes Jose Altuve, Yordan Álvarez, Kyle Tucker, and Alex Bregman, and while their power numbers are down slightly from recent seasons, they’re finding ways to manufacture runs through smart baserunning and situational hitting. Jeremy Peña and Chas McCormick have also provided timely contributions in the lower half of the order, giving Houston a more complete lineup that can pressure opposing pitchers from top to bottom. Despite an overall underwhelming start to the 2025 campaign, the Astros are showing signs of turning the corner with improved play on both sides of the ball, and their 21–17 record at home reflects growing consistency.

The bullpen remains a strong suit, anchored by closer Josh Hader and setup man Bryan Abreu, both of whom have been tough to hit in high-leverage spots. Houston has also performed well ATS in recent games when listed as a home favorite of -150 or less, particularly against teams with winning road records, suggesting the betting market is starting to respect their resurgence. This game against Philadelphia is not just another interleague matchup—it’s a benchmark for where this team stands against one of the National League’s top contenders. Manager Joe Espada continues to show growth in his first year at the helm, making sharp tactical decisions and keeping his veteran-laden clubhouse focused amid early adversity. With playoff expectations still very much alive, the Astros know that winning games against quality opponents like the Phillies at home is crucial to climbing back into the postseason picture. If Hunter Brown can continue to build on his hot streak and the offense can capitalize on early scoring chances, Houston will put itself in a strong position to take the series and continue their upward momentum heading into the second half of the season. This is a proud team with championship pedigree, and while the road back to October may be tougher this year, the pieces are beginning to fall into place for the Astros to make their move.