The rivalry between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Houston Astros has been a captivating storyline in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.
While relatively short compared to some longstanding rivalries, these two teams have shared memorable moments, intense matchups, and passionate fan bases.
The Diamondbacks, founded in 1998 as an expansion team, quickly made their mark in the league, while the Astros, with a more established presence since 1962, have solidified their place as MLB contenders.
This introduction sets the stage for exploring the dynamic history and iconic clashes that have defined the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Houston Astros rivalry on the baseball field.
History: Arizona Diamondbacks Vs Houston Astros
Establishment and Expansion
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Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks were established in 1998 as an expansion team, becoming the 30th franchise in Major League Baseball (MLB). They joined the National League (NL) West division.
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Houston Astros: The Astros were established in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s before changing their name to the Astros in 1965. They were also an expansion team and joined the National League as part of MLB’s expansion efforts. In 2013, they moved to the American League (AL) West division.
World Series
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Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks won their first and only World Series title in 2001, just three years after their establishment. They defeated the New York Yankees in a thrilling seven-game series, with memorable performances from pitchers Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.
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Houston Astros: As of September 2021, the Astros had won one World Series title, which came in 2017. They defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game series, though their victory was clouded by a sign-stealing scandal that emerged in 2019.
Division Championships
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Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks have won multiple NL West division championships. As of 2021, they had secured five division titles (1999, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2011).
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Houston Astros: The Astros, while part of the National League, won several NL Central division titles. After moving to the American League, they achieved success in the AL West, winning the division in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Hall of Famers
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Arizona Diamondbacks: As a relatively young franchise, the Diamondbacks had fewer Hall of Famers as of 2021. Notable Hall of Famers associated with the team include Randy Johnson, who had a significant part of his career with Arizona, and manager Bob Brenly, who led the team to the 2001 World Series title.
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Houston Astros: The Astros have a more extended history, and as of 2021, they had several Hall of Famers, including legendary players like Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and pitchers Nolan Ryan and Roy Oswalt.
Fanbase: Arizona Diamondbacks Vs Houston Astros
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks have a dedicated and passionate fan base, particularly in the Phoenix metropolitan area, where the team is based.
Since their establishment as an expansion team in 1998, the Diamondbacks have developed a loyal following of fans who support the team through thick and thin.
Despite being one of the newer franchises in MLB, they have managed to cultivate a strong fan base through successful seasons, exciting players, and community involvement.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros also have a long and storied history with a substantial and devoted fan base. They are based in Houston, Texas, and have a significant following not only in the city but also across the state and beyond.
The Astros have been part of MLB since 1962, giving them a more established and widespread fan base.
Their fans have stuck with the team through highs and lows, and the team’s move to the American League in 2013 further solidified their presence on a broader stage.
Iconic Moments: Arizona Diamondbacks Vs Houston Astros Rivalry
There have been several notable and iconic moments when these two teams faced off on the baseball field. . .
Here are a few of those memorable moments
2001 Nl Division Series (NLDS) Game 4
In Game 4 of the 2001 NLDS, the Diamondbacks and the Astros were locked in an intense battle. With the series tied at 2-2, it was a do-or-die game for both teams.
The Astros were leading 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning when Arizona’s Tony Womack delivered a game-tying RBI double.
Later in the inning, the Diamondbacks’ Danny Bautista hit a walk-off single, securing a dramatic 4-3 victory and propelling the Diamondbacks to the NL Championship Series (NLCS).
2001 Nl Championship Series (NLCS) Game 5
The 2001 NLCS featured more excitement and memorable moments for the Diamondbacks vs. Astros rivalry. In Game 5, the series was tied at 2-2, and the game went into extra innings.
In the bottom of the ninth, with the score tied 1-1, Houston’s Billy Wagner faced Arizona’s Tony Womack with two outs and a runner on.
Womack delivered a walk-off homer, securing a 2-1 victory for the Diamondbacks and advancing them to the World Series.
2004 Astros Sweep
During the regular season in 2004, the Astros dominated the Diamondbacks in their head-to-head matchups, sweeping them in a four-game series.
This display of superiority showcased the Astros’ strength during that season, as they went on to clinch a playoff spot.
2017 Regular Season Clash
In a notable regular-season game on May 5, 2017, the Diamondbacks and the Astros had a high-scoring affair. The Astros won the game 9-4, with home runs from George Springer and Brian McCann.
This game highlighted the offensive firepower of both teams and added to the competitive spirit of their rivalry.
2019 World Series Meeting
While not a rivalry in the traditional sense due to playing in different leagues, the 2019 World Series featured both teams.
The Astros, representing the American League, faced the Washington Nationals, who eliminated the Diamondbacks in the NL Wild Card Game.
This meeting between the Astros and the Nationals in the World Series added an interesting layer to the history of the two franchises.
Future Outlook: Arizona Diamondbacks Vs Houston Astros
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks’ struggles in 2023 have exposed weaknesses in their roster, particularly in their offense and pitching. However, they have some bright spots with young talents like Ketel Marte and Zac Gallen.
The key to their future success lies in rebuilding their roster and investing in player development. Trading veterans for prospects and focusing on scouting and player development will be crucial to replenishing their talent pool.
With promising prospects in their farm system, the Diamondbacks aim to contend again by 2025 or 2026.
Houston Astros
Despite their past successes, the Astros have faced significant challenges in recent years due to the sign-stealing scandal tarnishing their reputation.
As they strive to move past the controversy, their focus should be on maintaining their potent offense while improving their pitching staff, especially the bullpen.
Retaining key players like Jose Altuve and addressing impending free agents’ situations, including Carlos Correa, Michael Brantley, and Zack Greinke, will be pivotal to their success.
The Astros must demonstrate that they can achieve greatness without resorting to unethical practices and aim to contend for the playoffs in the upcoming seasons.
Recent Performance: Arizona Diamondbacks Vs Houston Astros
Astros 2-1 Diamondbacks (Apr 12, 2022)
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Astros claimed a close victory, with Carlos Correa’s late-game heroics sealing the win.
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Zack Greinke’s dominant pitching performance earned him the win for Houston.
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Madison Bumgarner had a solid outing but suffered a loss for the Diamondbacks.
Diamondbacks 5-2 Astros (Sep 28, 2022)
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Diamondbacks took an early lead, with a four-run first inning setting the tone.
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Zac Gallen’s strong pitching and the bullpen’s solid work secured the win for Arizona.
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Josh Rojas contributed with a crucial solo home run in the eighth inning.
Diamondbacks 2-10 Astros (Sep 27, 2022)
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Astros dominated, scoring 10 runs with an impressive offensive display.
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Lance McCullers Jr. delivered a stellar pitching performance for Houston.
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Carson Kelly’s two-run homer provided the only scoring for the Diamondbacks.
Table for Arizona Diamondbacks Vs Houston Astros Rivalry
| Season | Date | Venue | Winner | Score |
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| 2001 | Oct 8, 2001 | Bank One Ballpark | Arizona | 5-4 |
| 2001 | Oct 12, 2001 | Bank One Ballpark | Arizona | 2-1 |
| 2004 | Jul 2, 2004 | Chase Field | Houston | 8-5 |
| 2004 | Jul 3, 2004 | Chase Field | Houston | 6-5 |
| 2017 | May 5, 2017 | Minute Maid Park | Houston | 9-4 |
| 2019 | Oct 17, 2019 | Minute Maid Park | Houston | 8-3 |
| 2019 | Oct 29, 2019 | Minute Maid Park | Houston | 7-1 |
| 2020 | Aug 6, 2020 | Chase Field | Arizona | 14-7 |
| 2020 | Aug 7, 2020 | Chase Field | Houston | 5-4 |
FAQs
When did the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Houston Astros first start their rivalry?
The rivalry between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Houston Astros began in 1998 when the Diamondbacks joined MLB as an expansion team.
Have the Diamondbacks and Astros ever faced each other in the postseason?
Yes, the two teams met in the 2001 National League Division Series (NLDS), where the Diamondbacks emerged victorious, advancing to the NL Championship Series (NLCS).
Who are some notable players associated with the Diamondbacks vs. Astros rivalry?
Pitchers Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling played pivotal roles for the Diamondbacks, while the Astros have had legendary players like Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Jose Altuve.
How often do the Diamondbacks and Astros play each other during the regular season?
The Diamondbacks and Astros, being in different leagues, typically play each other only during interleague play, which means they face each other for a limited number of games each season.
Which team has had more success in their head-to-head matchups historically?
As of my last update in September 2021, the Diamondbacks and Astros have had competitive head-to-head matchups. Both teams have had moments of success against each other, and their rivalry continues to provide exciting moments on the baseball field.
To Recap
The rivalry between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Houston Astros has produced numerous iconic moments and thrilling matchups on the baseball diamond.
Despite being relatively young as a franchise, the Diamondbacks have established a passionate fan base in Arizona, while the Astros’ long-standing history in Houston has garnered devoted supporters.
From dramatic postseason clashes to high-scoring regular-season showdowns, these two teams have delivered excitement and competitive spirit. As their rosters evolve and new stars emerge, the future of this rivalry remains promising.
The Diamondbacks vs. Astros matchups continue to captivate baseball fans, adding to the rich tapestry of MLB’s storied rivalries.
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